Summary
Nigeria has decided to stop teaching young children in their native languages and will return to using English in schools. The policy, which was introduced three years ago, did not improve students' academic performance as expected. Officials and experts are divided over whether the decision to cancel the policy was correct.
Key Facts
- Nigeria canceled a policy that required teaching in local languages in early primary schools.
- The change was announced by Nigeria's Education Minister Tunji Alausa.
- English will again be used for teaching from pre-primary through university levels.
- Poor academic results in areas using mother-tongue teaching prompted this decision.
- The policy was started three years ago but did not succeed as hoped.
- About 85% of children attend primary school in Nigeria, but less than half finish secondary school.
- Some experts and parents support the reversal, while others believe the policy needed more time and resources to prove effective.
- The debate emphasizes Nigeria's struggle to balance native languages with the global importance of English.
