[lg policy] Zambia: Stop using language policy to fan tribalism

[Harold Schiffman]

 Stop using language policy to fan tribalism  February 26, 2014 *
<http://daily-mail.co.zm/blog/2014/02/26/stop-using-language-policy-to-fan-tribalism/#respond>

RECENTLY, the Government, through the Ministry of Education, Science,
Vocational Training and Early Education announced the new policy of
teaching pupils in the first four primary grades in a familiar language as
a medium of instruction.


We have, however, noticed that since the implementation of the policy began
there have been attempts to turn it into ammunition for political fights.
As Minister of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education
John Phiri rightly observed some politicians have been making careless
statements that are aimed at whipping up ethnic hostilities.
It is surprising that people who are supposed to know better and support
the well-intended policy have chosen to use it to make unsubstantiated
claims.
It has been explained countless times that this policy is for the good of
the majority of our children.  Opposing the policy is tantamount to saying
you don't want the majority of the children to have the firm education
foundation they deserve.
Surely, there is nothing wrong with a child receiving instruction in a
language that he or she is most familiar with.  In fact, it would
pretentious to claim you are teaching, when most of the children can hardly
understand what a teacher is saying.
Everyone must look at this policy as such and not oppose it for the sake of
it.
There is no harm in continuing the debate on the matter, but there is
absolutely nothing right about deliberately refusing to see the merits of
this policy.
A healthy debate helps clear concerns to ensure that the nation pulls in
the same direction - all for the sake of our children who need this
education.  But rouble-rousing criticism is not welcome.
This is not a tribal issue but rather an education matter.  As Dr Phiri has
repeatedly said for the sake of those still in doubt, this is not a policy
for one language.
It ought to be known too that this is a well thought-through policy.  The
Ministry of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education did
not just wake up one day to announce the new policy.
There was a process, which included tours to other parts of the world and
hundreds of hours of going through mountains of research findings on the
merits and demerits of using a language the children are familiar with as
the medium of instruction between grades one and four.
Scientific evidence has shown that children grasp information quicker when
they use a language they are familiar with.
The outcome of this process is this policy.
Thankfully, the majority of Zambians fully approve of it for they see the
full benefits of having a child understanding what is being taught,
especially in the formative years of their formal education.
It is important that Zambia remains focused on what is good for it in all
sectors, more so in the education sector around which virtually all other
matters are woven.
There could, however, be those that may still want to follow a different
path, as few as they may be.  That is their choice, but they should allow
the majority to take the right path to providing our children with the
education they deserve.

http://daily-mail.co.zm/blog/2014/02/26/stop-using-language-policy-to-fan-tribalism/




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