Ondo hosts pioneering Maths training in Yoruba language

The National Institute for Educational Planning and Administration (NIEPA) in collaboration with Yoruba Mathematics Class on YouTube, successfully held a 2-day training on teaching mathematics using Yoruba indigenous language and early grade Mathematics. This training becomes the first public pioneering training coming up in the educational sector through the Institute on "using Yoruba indigenous language to teach Mathematics for early grades".

Renowned experts, Dr. Kehinde Adenegan, Dr. Sulaymon Mohammad Raji, Dr. Folajogun Akinkuowo, and Dr. Tolu Oyawale, delivered insightful sessions on topics including Translation overview of primary 1-6 Mathematics curriculum in Yoruba, implementation of teaching Mathematics in early grade mathematics, Developing and lesson plans of Mathematics topical contents in Yorùbá, the importance of indigenous language in education, the role of language in teaching, understanding leadership instruction, and supporting teachers in early grade Mathematics.

Participants (class teachers, head teachers and private school owners) from selected primary schools across Ondo West Local Government Area praised the interactive training.

Adenegan, who engaged Mathematics drama in his teaching approach, Asserted that, "it is high time we used what we have to develop and improve our classroom instructions for teaching -learning to be effective, in which the choice of language used is a key factor for an impactful teaching". Some video clips from the Yorùbá mathematics class YouTube were shown to the teachers to substantiate the training discussion.

NIEPA's Director General, Dr. David Adebiyi Shofoyeke, addressed the closing ceremony, while Dr. Samson Oyeromi declared the training open.

In his closing remarks, Dr. Shofoyeke admonished the participants to spread the good orientation they have received at the training and highlight the importance of the usage of indigenous language in classroom instructions, especially Yorùbá language in the south western part of Nigeria. "Early grade reading (EGR) and early grade Mathematics (EGMA) have been in operation in the northern part of Nigeria where Hausa language is being used in schools. So, why can't we embrace and sustain what we have in our own part of the world", Shofoyeke reiterated 

A communiqué was issued and presented by the participants, represented by Mrs. Omolade Eborunkan. In her presentation, the training recommended among others that, educational curriculum should be reviewed to enhance the use of indigenous language in teaching Mathematics and other subjects in our schools; there should be public enlightenment on the importance of using indigenous language in teaching Mathematics in the schools through the churches, mosques, radio and other social media platforms. Equally, parents should be encouraged and sensitized on the need to use indigenous language as a medium of communication at home, while school teachers and schoolers should invite parents to PTA meeting for sensitization on the importance of using indigenous language at home and schools are part of means of instructions.

For more details, consider searching online for news articles or official reports from NIEPA or Yoruba Mathematics Class YouTube.