420 NIGERIAN INDIGENOUS LANGUAGE AND THE PROBLEM OF IMPLEMENTATION IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN CROSS RIVER STATE, NIGERIA: IMPLICATION FOR COUNSELLING Elizabeth G. Akpama, (Ph.D) Department of Educational Foundations and Administration, Cross River University of Technology, Calabar. J. E. Tabotndip, (Ph.D) Department of Educational Foundations and Administration, Cross River University of Technology, Calabar. Stella-Maris Okey, (Ph.D) Department of Educational Foundations and Administration, Cross River University of Technology, Calabar. Abstract This paper is a contribution to the continuous search for a way forward in the use of language of the immediate environment as a medium of instruction in the Nigerian primary schools. The primary schools in Cross River State, Nigeria were used as a case study. The researchers considered the following: The curriculum provision of mother tongue or language of the immediate environment as a medium of instruction as stated in the National Policy on Education; the importance of the use of indigenous language; the problem of the implementation of indigenous language as a medium of instruction in the primary schools in Cross River State; and the counselling implications as the way forward. It has become obvious that the language policy in Nigerian schools, needs and overhauling to ensure its successful implementation. Language is an indispensible tool for Azikiwe (1998) defines language as that human development. It clearly faculty of speech which enables all human distinguishes man from lower animals. beings to interact, communicate ideas and 421 Journal of Teacher Perspective disseminate knowledge. The culture of any and the transmission of culture must be given environment is expressed through made easy. language. The native speakers of any Chumbow (1990), UNESCO language understand the rules that govern (1953) and Adeyanju (2003) defined the structure of that language at the levels mother tongue language as a medium of of sounds, words, sentences and meanings communication which enables a child to (Chijioke, 2003). learn and develop faster. Indigenous Language is a necessary tool for language is a language which is spoken in educational, economic, political and social one area by the original people from that enhancement of every nation. The world environment who dwell in that same cannot do without language because it environment and first expresses themselves represents ideas about the world. Language in the language otherwise classified as is used in everyday life for the purpose of mother tongue and widely used and spoken remembering the past, thinking about the by people who live within a particular future, understanding the present giving environment and who share the same and obtaining information, showing and cultural expressions. changing feelings of others, telling stories, Olagoke (1979) and Chijioke describing events, calculations, (2003) discovered that indigenous subtractions, multiplications, divisions, etc. language has been proven as the best To meet these needs, language whether communication vehicle for teaching and English or native, has to be effectively learning. They agreed that the basic need taught and learned through effective and for indigenous language is for effective relevant language curriculum. communication. Educational policies on the use of Nigeria as a country, has over 560 language have been enacted by the district dialects. Three of these dialects Nigerian government. There have also even though they considered as mother been curriculum reforms to ensure tongue to the original owners, are effective and successful implementation of categorized as national languages. They languages including the indigenous are Yoruba, Hausa and Igbo otherwise language. The implementation process of called ‘WAZOBIA’. Other languages the mother tongue (indigenous language) outside these three languages are also has been a source of concern to both considered as the languages of the scholars and school administrators. immediate environment to be studied In any learning situation, the alongside any of the three national teacher in order to ensure effective languages in the Nigeria schools situated in learning, must consider the learning a particular environment environment and the background of the Cross River State, one of the thirty learner. The position of indigenous six states in Nigeria also has several language in education cannot be ignored if dialects that cuts across the eighteen (18) children’s transition from home to school local government areas of the state. Most Nigerian Indigenous Language and … 422 of these languages are spoken and 11 years plus. The primary level of understood by the original owners of the education spans for 6 years. The first three environment in which the language is years is regarded as junior primary while spoken. These languages together with the the last three years is regarded as senior national languages are specified in the primary. The primary level of education is curriculum of the National Policy on the foundation of education, the bedrock Education as medium of communication upon which all other levels of education for teaching and learning. are established. It is the key to the success The above submission of the use or failure of the whole educational system. of indigenous language as medium of The Nigerian government instruction in primary schools portrays it as recognizes the importance of mother a gateway to solid educational foundation. tongue or language of the immediate This paper therefore looks at the community where schools are situated. It curriculum provision of mother tongue also recognizes the impact of mother (indigenous language) in the National tongue in learning process. This is why the Policy on Education; the importance of the National Policy on Education recommends use of indigenous language as a medium of the language of the immediate community instruction; the problem of the as a medium of instruction at the initial implementation of indigenous language stage of primary education. NPE (2004) policy in primary school in Cross River states that: “The medium of instruction in State and the counselling implications. the primary schools shall be first three years. During this period, English shall be The National Policy on Education and taught as a subject”. This means that the the Indigenous Language Policy on language of communication for learning Education and teaching shall be the language of the As part of the goals and immediate environment where the school philosophy of education in Nigeria, the is situated. “government appreciates the importance of Furthermore, NPE (2004) also language as a means of promoting social, indicated that from the fourth year, English interaction, and national cohesion; and shall be used as a medium of instruction. preserving culture. Thus, every child shall This also means that English shall be used learn the language of the immediate as a means of communication for teaching environment. Furthermore, in the interest and learning. Another important point of of national unity, it is expedient that every ‘note’ is that the language of the child shall be required to learn one of the immediate environment at this point shall three (3) Nigerian national languages; be taught as a subject. To implement the Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba” (NPE, 2004). language policy, government promised to Primary education as referred to in provide basic infrastructure as a means of NPE (2004), is the education given in realizing it. institutions of learning for children aged 6- 423 Journal of Teacher Perspective The Importance of Indigenous 3. Individuals especially children Language as a Medium of understand issues better when they are Instruction taught in their mother tongue. The benefits of indigenous 4. It reduces the problem of language language are many and cannot be over interference if introduced early in emphasized. The objectives of primary education. education among others are: the inculcation of permanent literacy and The Problem of the Implementation numeracy, and ability to communicate of Indigenous Language Policy in effectively; lay a sound basis for scientific Primary Schools in Cross River State and reflective thinking; develop in the The Universal Basic Education child, the ability to adapt to the child’s (UBE) programme introduced in changing environment, etc. September 1999 as part of educational The use of indigenous language in reforms in Nigeria, is operational in Cross the school system especially in the first River State. Most of the UBE curriculum three years of primary education will help provisions are undergoing implementation, the child to understand better, the resource following the implementational processes materials used for teaching. It will also under the supervision of the State make learning more permanent, especially Universal Basic Education Board if they are related to the topic of the lesson. (SUBEB). Indigenous language offer reality to Judging by the importance learning and help the children to develop a attached to any good policy and continuity of thought (Azikiwe, 1998). educational reforms, it becomes very Chumbow (1990) highlighted the necessary to have such policies following as the importance of mother implemented to the later. Effective tongue in education: implementation can only be hindered or 1. Mother tongue plays an important part delayed if the government fails to adhere in moulding the child’s early concept. to the implementation factors.