Academy of Education Warns Against Scrapping Mother-Tongue Instruction in Schools

The Nigerian Academy of Education has strongly opposed the Federal Government’s recent decision to reverse its mother-tongue policy in schools. The new directive mandates English as the primary medium of instruction, replacing the previous guideline that encouraged early education in students’ native languages.

The Academy described the move as a setback to educational development, noting that teaching children in their mother tongue enhances understanding, cognitive growth, and overall learning outcomes. Experts also warned that the reversal could undermine decades of research supporting multilingual education.

According to the Academy, the policy shift risks eroding cultural identity and diminishing the relevance of indigenous languages in formal education. They stressed that local languages are crucial for fostering a strong educational foundation in early childhood.

While the government cited concerns over poor academic performance in national exams as justification for the change, education specialists contend that the evidence does not support a blanket switch to English-only instruction.

The Academy has called on the Federal Government to reconsider the policy and consult stakeholders, including teachers, linguists, and education experts, to ensure reforms align with both educational best practices and cultural preservation.