The linguistic content of the Ịzọn language curriculum for primary schools

Abstract

The curriculum is the most important document at any level of the educational system of a country. The manner of its implementation can contribute to the growth and development of a nation, or cause its stunted growth. The Ịzọn language curricular for the Basic Education Programme for primaries 1-6 were developed by the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) in 2010. However, although these curricular have been approved by the relevant authorities including the National Council on Education (NCE) for use in schools, up till this moment the curricular have not been used in the State Government Primary Schools in Bayelsa, Delta, Edo and Ondo States. This is a cause for concern by both teachers and pupils who should be teaching and learning the content of these curricula as well as linguists and language experts involved in their development. In this paper, we take a look at the linguistic content of the Ịzọn language curriculum for primary 1-6, viz. bẹẹlị emi tọrụ, fie bara, goo bara, poi ma fie, goo ma gẹẹ. This paper also takes a look at the issues involved in the development and use of the curricular and underscores the need for the State Governments to demonstrate commitment and urgently implement the use of the curricular in their schools and produce reading texts and grammar books for the realization of the goals of the Ịzọn language curricular. If this is done soon, the Ịzọn language curricula can achieve great success.