UNESCO, Oyo, dons make case for indigenous languages in schools

Experts push for multilingual education
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), Oyo State Government and prominent scholars, yesterday, at the University of Ibadan (UI), called for the promotion of indigenous languages for effective teaching in schools.

This was as literacy experts, teachers, policymakers, youth advocates, social media influencers and other education stakeholders underscored the need for children to be allowed to learn in different languages.

The scholars include Prof Omobola Adelore of the Department of Adult Education, Prof Francis Egbokhare of the Department of Linguistics and African Languages, Dr Nathaniel Danjibo of the Department of Peace, Security and Humanitarian Studies, and Department of Linguistics and African Languages, Dr Nathaniel Danjibo of the Department of Peace, Security and Humanitarian Studies as well as Prof. Rashid Aderinoye, all of UI.

National Programme Officer and Literacy Focal Person of UNESCO, Abuja Office, Dr Stephen Onyekwelu; Oyo State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof Soliu Adelabu and the scholars made the call during a symposium in celebration of the International Literacy Day at UI with the theme, ‘Promoting Multilingual Education: Literacy for Mutual Understanding and Peace’.

The event was organised by the Department of Adult Education, in collaboration with UNESCO Office, Abuja, and National Mass Education Commission (NMEC) and hosted by the Head of Department of Adult Education, Prof. Agbomehre Momoh.

Vice Chancellor of UI, Prof. Kayode Adebowale, represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Prof. Aderonke Baiyeroju, asserted literacy as a fundamental human right for individuals, which opens ways for other human rights.
THIS is as stakeholders, at a roundtable in Abuja organised by the Quality Education Development Associates (QEDA) to commemorate International Literacy Day, also called for the implementation of the National Language Policy, which allows the use of mother tongue to teach children up to Basic Six.

They highlighted the numerous benefits of learning in different languages including improved cognitive abilities, enhanced cultural understanding, increased career opportunities, better academic performance and enhanced brain flexibility.

‘Youths as Vanguard for Multilingual Education to Achieve Peace and Mutual Understanding’ is the theme of the roundtable.

In his remarks, Team lead and founder of QEDA, Nurrudeen Lawal, said by receiving educational instructions in a familiar language, children could build a strong foundation for learning, improve their academic performance, and develop a positive attitude towards education.

He argued that this approach would significantly contribute to addressing the problem of over 20 million out-of-school children in Nigeria, leading to a substantial decrease in the number of children who are not enrolled in school.

In her presentation, the Director, Nigeria Centre for Reading Research and Development, Bayero University Kano, Prof. Talatu Garba, who chaired the event, called for a national day of awareness on languages. She noted that technology would play a crucial role in promoting multilingual education.