Mother Tongue Key To Foundation Skills, Learning – Survey

A survey conducted under the project known as ‘Mu Karanta” Literacy for Prosperity has revealed that, using mother tongue for teaching and learning is key and very effective in achieving foundation skills and learning prosperity for early child/pupils learning.
The Survey was conducted in 12 local government areas of Jigawa State covering 198 schools with special interventions.

Presenting the report of the survey, the programme director, Dr Mary Anderson who was supported by another director, Mrs Hindy Muhammad said, the aim of the survey was to find solution to the gap in foundation skills and illiteracy in the society.

She said the survey was conducted by Mu Karanta Literacy Resource Limited in collaboration with Jigawa State Universal Basic Education Board.
and sponsored by BONO Energy.

Dr Anderson added that Makaranta Literacy for Prosperity Project used Hausa Language and instructional materials written in Hausa for Primary 1-3 between 2023 and 2024.

According to the survey, about 90 percent comprehended what they were taught and also demonstrated enthusiasm and interest in their lesson.

She explained that it was observed that, most of the targeted children could differentiate and pronounce letters correctly, adding that with effective foundation skill, they could easily be transferred to other ‘learning languages.’

“Mother tongue is a window for learning another language. Therefore, the report suggested for Nigerian educationists and policy makers to encourage using native languages in early child teaching/ learning for achieving effective foundation skills and learning prosperity.

In his remarks, the executive secretary of Jigawa State Universal Basic Education Board, Professor Haruna Musa said, the outcome of the research has provided a practical answer to the poor learning outcome at foundation skills recorded in the state over the years.