PROMOTING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF LANGUAGE-IN-EDUCATION POLICIES THROUGH INDIGENOUS LANGUAGE-BASED SCHOOL CHOICE: EQUITY IN BOTSWANA AND NIGERIAN PRIMARY SCHOOLS

Abstract

A number of African countries are revising their language-in-education policies to improve their educational systems. In 2022, Botswana and Nigeria revised their language-in-education policies to recognize more indigenous languages and extend their functions in education. Sequel to the above, this paper is a shift from the policies of the two respective countries to the gaps identified in the implementation of those policies at the primary school level. It has been identified that most non-public schools run contrary to the stipulations in the policy documents by using English as the only language of instruction. Allowing private schools to continue using English as the only language of instruction in primary schools is contrary to the principle of equity which democracy promotes. Premised on this, this paper proposes a school choice policy that could be adopted in Botswana and Nigeria to encourage privately owned primary schools to implement the revised language-in-education policies. Through school choice, children will be able to attend private schools without losing the benefits that accrue from the use of indigenous languages as media of instruction.