EXPLORING THE MERIT AND CHALLENGES OF THE LANGUAGE OF THE IMMEDIATE ENVIRONMENT POLICY IN NIGERIA

Victor Pascal Mayaki

Abstract


Language is the vehicle that conveys communication in human societies. Therefore, without language, human communication and interaction would be difficult. Language is also used as a symbol of cultural identity, and for several other functions in the affairs of people. As a result of the importance of language, the national policy on education advocates the need for Nigerian primary school students to be taught the language of the immediate environment, which will be used as the medium of instruction in the first three years in primary school to enhance social interaction and preservation of culture. The aim of this essay, therefore, is to explore the merits and challenges of the policy and understand how well the policy has fared in Nigeria. The findings of this essay show that the policy came with attendant challenges and has been jettisoned by schools, thereby undermining its merits. No doubt, the language of the immediate environment is rooted in the cultural norms and practices of every community in Nigeria. Therefore, to preserve these cultural norms and practices; the language of the immediate environment should be emphasized and taught as advocated by the national policy on education, irrespective of the challenges.

Keywords


merit, challenges, language of the immediate environment policy

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References


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DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.46827/ejes.v13i4.6609

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