[EDLING:2408] Namibia: Mother Tongue Project Distributes Thousands of Books

[Francis M Hult]

Via lgpolicy...

> Mother Tongue Project Distributes Thousands of Books
> 
> New Era (Windhoek)  NEWS March 5, 2007 Posted to the web March 5, 2007
> 
> By Wezi Tjaronda Windhoek
> 
> Some 750 000 teaching and learning textbooks from Grades 1 to 3 have been
> distributed to schools since the start of the Basic Education Programme
> (BEP) Upgrading African Languages Project (Afrila) in October 2000, which
> has improved the textbook learner ratio. The project aimed at improving
> literacy and numeracy in learners in the mother tongue and also to promote
> the acquisition of English as a second language before English becomes the
> medium of instruction from Grade 4 onwards.
> 
> It is believed that the language spoken at home by a learner is an
> important prerequisite to success in learning. The project has developed
> new teaching and learning materials in six target languages, namely,
> Kukwangali, Rumanyo, Thimbukushu, Otjiherero, Silozi and Khoekhoegowab,
> but also in Oshindonga and Oshikwanyama for grades 1 to 3. Last month, the
> Afrila project launched literacy, mathematics and environmental studies
> textbooks for grades 1 to 3 in six target languages.  The textbooks are
> based on the revised lower primary curriculum and the new subject
> syllabus, to contribute to the strengthening of mother tongue education in
> the foundation phase.
> 
> Launching the books, Undersecretary for Formal Education in the Ministry
> of Education, Alfred Ilukena, said language was the most important tool
> for thinking, a means of communication and one of the most important
> aspects of identity. "A high level of communication in one's language is a
> prerequisite in a knowledge-based society," he said. Ilukena said learners
> also learnt best through their mother tongues in the formative years of
> schooling and would master English if they have mastered their mother
> tongue first. "The purpose of the lower primary phase is to lay a
> foundation for learning throughout the formal education system. If the
> foundation which is laid in these four years is good, the learners will be
> well prepared to continue learning," he said, adding that this would also
> enable children to develop self-confidence and self-worth through personal
> and social development during this phase.
> 
> The Afrila project coordinator, Andreas Schott, who also bade farewell
> since the project has come to an end, said the project supported the
> ministry and NIED to implement the Language Policy for Schools to improve
> the quality of mother tongue education in the lower primary phase. The
> project has made available over 350 publications. "This in itself should
> alone increase the effectiveness of teaching in the lower primary
> classroom combined with a learner-centred pedagogy in which the textbooks
> are the basis as the guiding pedagogical paradigm," said Schott.
> 
> However, he recommended that an impact study be conducted to determine how
> the materials have improved the performance of the learners and also that
> the ministry should incorporate necessary activities for mother tongue
> education in the lower primary phase into ETSIP planning through a second
> language policy and a feasible textbook policy. The project was financed
> by the German Technical Cooperation (GTZ).
> 
> http://allafrica.com/stories/200703051089.html