International Day Of Indigenous languages: A Case For Education In Mother Tongue By Charles Oladipo Akinde Ph.D
Cultural and Natural Heritage Foundation Inc.
In commemoration of International day of indigenous languages Feb. 21, 2024.
February 21st was the universally anointed day as the International Day of Indigenous Languages, it is observed each year to raise awareness about the importance of preserving and promoting indigenous languages worldwide. In fact The United Nations has declared 2022 – 2032 as the international decade of indigenous languages, which aims to draw attention to the critical status of indigenous languages worldwide and to mobilize efforts to preserve, revitalize, and promote them.
A mother tongue, also known as a native language, is the first language a person learns and usually the language they are most proficient in. It’s the language spoken in the home environment during childhood and is typically passed down from parents or caregivers. It is believed that using the mother tongue in education at least at the elementary level, promotes better learning outcomes, improves communication between teachers and students, and helps children develop a strong sense of identity and belonging.
The issue of the use of mother tongue in education has been with us in Nigeria for a long time. There was a time when it was a part of cultural policy of the Federal Government that children should at least begin education in their native language. In fact Professor Babatunde Fafunwa (fondly called Babs Fafunwa) when he was a Federal Minister of Education made it mandatory that children should use their mother tongue in schools up to primary school level. That was a step in the right direction. But the only area in Nigeria where I think this policy is better implemented is in the North where pupils are taught in Hausa language before they start to learn English. But I don’t know of the Ibo land; but in Yoruba land, it seems that this policy has not been given the attention it deserves. Perhaps because the teachers themselves are not very well grounded in the Yoruba language to enable them to teach the pupils in their mother tongue.
This year while commenting on the use of indigenous languages, Lilian Ogozi writing in the Daily Trust on February 21st 2024, said that there are about 6500 languages in the world, she said that a language disappears and died every two weeks. Some sources even said that there are 7000 languages spoken in the world but some of these are spoken by a small number of speakers while some are endangered or facing extinction. In 2022, Peter Moses, wrote in Daily Trust on Dec. 8, that Ogun Backs Adoption of Mother tongue for primary school teaching, when the Federal Government adored the mother tongue as the mode of instruction in primary schools. Professor Abayomi Arigbalu then the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology in Ogun state said that the Federal government must develop adequate orthography of subjects in local languages spoken in Nigeria for the smooth teaching of students in their mother tongue. Prof Arigbalu was speaking on the occasion of “Ewa Ede Yoruba” in the Annual symposium organized by the Gbagede Ewa Ede Foundation held in Abeokuta. He applauded the decision of the Federal Government saying that the gesture would develop education in the country and also prevent Nigerian languages from going into extinction. Also in 2022, Lilian Ogozi writing on 21st February 2022, wrote: “Therefore International Mother Languages Day on 21, February is a day to celebrate and protect all the languages of the world,” She asked, “How many young people can frequently speak their mother language?” Not only are the pupils today not good enough in their mother tongue, they are not even good enough in the English language because the teachers themselves are products of the same system. It is high time Nigeria and particularly the Yoruba reexamine this issue of mother tongue before it is too late.
Professor Afolayan corroborated this assertion when he said that “The average primary six pupil leaves school without the ability to recognize the Nigerian flag, any awareness of the nature of the country politically, economically, and socially, has not tools for continuous self-education through permanent literacy, or hope for any bright future in the community. He is completely alienated from his agricultural background and generally can only see himself as a failure, a person doomed to mow grass, hew wood and draw water for those few friends who are fortunate enough to continue their formal education.” ?
The importance of mother tongue in education cannot be underrated. In our school days, Alawiye was one of the textbooks we were using and one of the most popular literature was Ogboju Ode Ninu Igbo irunmole; Irinke rin do Ninu Igbo Elegbeje, and Igbo Olodumare and others written by the legendary Daniel.Olorunfemi Fagunwa (or D.O. Fagunwa. June 1 1903 -December 9, 1963). There have been other books and plays written in Yoruba ever since. In fact The Holy Bible was translated into Yoruba Language in 1884 by Bishop Samuel Ajayi Crowder (1809 – 31 December 1891). But why have this not been extended to the translation of scientific literature into Yoruba even at the elementary level?
The UNESCO, (United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization) wrote in 1953, that “It is axiomatic that the best medium for teaching a child is his mother tongue. Psychologically, it is the system of meaningful signs that in his mind works automatically for expression and understanding. Sociologically, it is a means of identification among members of the community to which he belongs. Educationally, he learns more quickly through it than through an unfamiliar linguistic medium” (UNESCO The Use of Vernacular Languages in Education, p.11. UNESCO Paris 1953.)
To prove this, the Institute of Education of Obafemi Awolowo University Ile Ife, under Professor Babatunde Fafunwa as the head, carried out an experiment in 1970 in Ile Ife; in his report on the project, he wrote: “The Ife experiment grew out of observations and studies regarding the Nigerian educational system and language problems which had been made over time and reported in a number of documents and from many sources” (In A. Babs Fafunwa “Education in the Mother tongue: A Nigerian Experiment”. In West African Journal of Education Vol. XIX, no.2. p.215.) The result was positive and the Federal Government accepted the report; even text books were contracted to publishers to produce books in the Yoruba Language for schools. Later, Mr. J. F. Adu, in his Masters thesis at the Institute of Education, University of Ibadan in 1978 reported that ” If English is properly taught as a subject and suitable books used, then the students who are taught in their mother tongue throughout their primary school system would not suffer any handicap in their attainments in English language…)” This confirms the claim that the primary education received in the mother tongue is richer and more meaningful than that received in a second language.
Because of the success of the Ife Experiment, the Federal Government favourable reception of the reports, on the project, publications were contracted to publishing houses. Textbooks for primary 1 – 6 to Longmans & Co Nig; Textbooks on Mathematics were contracted to (Oxford University Press); and Textbooks on Science was contracted to (Evans Brothers, Publishers) I remember that Mathematics was translated as Matimatiki and science was translated to Sayensi, Ledi for Lead, and Kampeni for Campaign and so on. Had this trend continued, the language situation would not be in this condition as it is today where we study what should be a primary language as a subject and English as primary.
I read recently that there is a Yoruba Wikipedia on the internet, called “Iwe Imo Ofe “ (created in 2002) . It was reported on Feb. 17 2024, that it attracted 25 million viewers in 2023. The Yoruba version of Wikipedia is called Yoruba Wikipedia and its domain name is “Yo.wikipedia.org) This is good, I also understand that there is Yoruba keyboard for computer users. But in order to make progress on a sustained basis, the Yoruba speaking areas or States in Nigeria should join together and establish an Institute or Academy for Yoruba Research. This should be a stand alone research centre where ortographs and other areas will be developed. Such an Institute could be under the patronage of Odua Investments or so. Such a research center will attract researchers who would devote adequate time to research in the Yoruba Language.
In conclusion therefore, there are some advantages of learning in one’s mother tongue or native language, although I have made a more comprehensive study of this issue in my “Language, Education, and Social Development in Nigeria”, a Ph. D. thesis, available to readers from The UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning in Hamburg.
The Importance of Mother tongue in Education
The mother tongue plays a crucial role in children’s education for several reasons:
1. Strong Foundation: Learning in one’s mother tongue provides a strong foundation for acquiring additional languages and subjects. It helps children grasp concepts more easily because they are already familiar with the language.
2. Cognitive Development: Cognitive development is enhanced when children are taught in their mother tongue. They can express themselves more effectively, think critically, and solve problems better when learning in a language they understand deeply.
3. Cultural Identity: Learning in one’s mother tongue helps preserve cultural identity and fosters a sense of belonging. It connects children to their heritage, traditions, and community.
4. Confidence and Motivation: Children feel more confident and motivated when learning in their mother tongue. They are more likely to participate actively in class discussions, engage with learning materials, and pursue further education.
5. Parental Involvement: When education is conducted in the mother tongue, parents are more likely to be involved in their children’s learning process. They can support their children’s education at home more effectively and communicate with teachers and schools more easily. Parental involvement in a child’s education contributes to academic achievement, social and emotional development, and overall well-being. It strengthens the parent-child bond and creates a supportive environment where children can thrive academically and personally.
Parental Involvement
Parental involvement in a child’s education refers to the active participation of parents or caregivers in their child’s learning journey. This involvement can take various forms and is essential for the overall development and academic success of the child. Some aspects of parental involvement include:
1. Supporting Learning at Home: Parents can create a conducive learning environment at home by providing resources, such as books, educational games, and materials relevant to their child’s interests and academic needs. They can also help with homework, review lessons, and engage in meaningful conversations about what their child is learning.
2. Communication with Teachers: Parents should maintain open and regular communication with their child’s teachers. This includes attending parent-teacher conferences, responding to school communications, and discussing their child’s progress, strengths, and areas for improvement.
3. Involvement in School Activities: Parents can volunteer at school events, participate in parent-teacher associations (PTAs), and contribute to school committees or initiatives. This involvement fosters a sense of community and demonstrates to children the importance of education.
4. Setting High Expectations: Parents play a crucial role in setting academic and behavioral expectations for their children. By emphasizing the value of education and encouraging effort and perseverance, parents can motivate their children to strive for success.
5. Fostering a Positive Attitude Towards Learning: Parents should instill a love of learning in their children by showing enthusiasm for education, praising their efforts and achievements, and promoting a growth mindset. Encouraging curiosity, exploration, and critical thinking helps children develop a lifelong passion for learning.
Second Language
A second language is a language that a person learns in addition to their native language or mother tongue. This can be a language learned for various reasons, such as communication with speakers of that language, cultural interest, academic requirements, or professional opportunities. A second language may be learned at any point in life, and proficiency levels can vary from basic conversational skills to fluency. A child who begins their education in their mother tongue can still become proficient in a second language. In fact, research suggests that starting education in the mother tongue can actually facilitate the acquisition of additional languages.
When children have a strong foundation in their mother tongue, they develop language skills, cognitive abilities, and academic knowledge that can transfer to learning a second language. Additionally, starting with the mother tongue helps children build confidence, which is beneficial when learning a new language. Furthermore, many education systems incorporate second language instruction into the curriculum, providing opportunities for children to learn and practice another language alongside their mother tongue. With proper support, exposure, and instruction, children can develop proficiency in a second language over time, even if they began their education primarily in their mother tongue.
Life Long learning
Mother tongue education plays a significant role in lifelong learning by laying a strong foundation for intellectual growth, academic achievement, and personal development of the learners; here’s how:
1. Continuity of Learning: Education in the mother tongue establishes a solid foundation of language skills, cognitive abilities, and academic knowledge. This continuity of learning enables individuals to adapt more easily to new learning environments and subjects throughout their lives.
2. Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving: Proficiency in the mother tongue fosters critical thinking skills and enhances problem-solving abilities. As individuals engage with complex ideas and information in their native language, they develop analytical skills that are transferrable to various learning contexts.
3. Access to Information and Resources: Being educated in one’s mother tongue ensures access to information, resources, and educational materials in a language that individuals understand best. This facilitates independent learning, research, and access to diverse perspectives throughout one’s lifetime.
4. Cultural Connection and Identity: Mother tongue education preserves cultural heritage, fosters a sense of identity, and strengthens connections to one’s community and heritage. This cultural grounding enriches lifelong learning experiences by providing a sense of belonging and appreciation for diverse perspectives.
5. Lifelong Language Learning: Proficiency in the mother tongue provides a strong foundation for learning additional languages throughout life. Individuals who are literate and fluent in their native language are better equipped to learn new languages, expanding their opportunities for personal and professional growth.
Mother tongue education sets the stage for lifelong learning by nurturing intellectual curiosity, facilitating access to information, and fostering a sense of cultural identity and belonging. It equips individuals with the skills, knowledge, and confidence needed to pursue continuous learning and personal development throughout their lives. Using the mother tongue in education promotes better learning outcomes, improves communication between teachers and students, and helps children develop a strong sense of identity and belonging.
The End.