THE IMPERATIVE OF INTRODUCING INDIGENOUS LANGUAGES IN THE CURRICULUM OF PRIMARY AND POST PRIMARY SCHOOLS

A two point resolution has been passed by the State House of Assembly calling of the State Government through the Ministry of Education and the Universal Basic Education Board (UBE) to introduce the indigenous languages in the curriculum of the primary and post primary schools including the public and private schools. More so, the Ministry of Education has been directed to carry out an enlightenment campaign to various communities to educate their children and wards the indigenous languages. Mr. Jonathan Obuebite, a member representing the Nembe constituency moved a motion on “the imperativeness of introducing Indigenous Languages in the curriculum of primary and post primary schools in order to preserve the cultural heritage as most present day youths and adults find it difficult to communicate their indigenous languages. He also pointed out that the threat and death of languages could also be traced to the political and linguistic biases, cross cultural marriages and lots more. Members in the house therefore blamed parents for their children’s inability to communicate in their indigenous languages.