Story Summary:
- Lagos State Government has approved Yoruba Language as a subject for the 2025 placement tests.
- Permanent Secretary Mr. Abayomi Abolaji announced the decision at a stakeholders’ meeting in Alausa.
- Primary six pupils will be tested on Yoruba Language as part of their Continuous Assessment Scores (CAS).
- The placement test will also include Mathematics (Quantitative Reasoning and Primary Science) and Language subjects (English Studies, Yoruba Language, Verbal Reasoning, General Paper).
- The decision follows a consensus among key stakeholders, including NAPPS, COSPAIL, LASUBEB, and other educational bodies.
- UNESCO’s recommendation supports using a child’s indigenous language in early education to enhance learning and cultural connection.
The Lagos State Government has approved the inclusion of Yoruba Language as a core subject in the 2025 placement test for primary six pupils transitioning to junior secondary schools across the state. The new policy aims to assess pupils’ knowledge and thinking ability through the Continuous Assessment Scores (CAS) system.
The Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, Mr. Abayomi Abolaji, made this announcement during a stakeholders’ meeting held at the ministry’s Conference Room in Alausa. He explained that the decision aligns with the state’s commitment to preserving indigenous languages and promoting cultural heritage through education.
Abolaji emphasized that Yoruba Language is already embedded in the state’s education curriculum and will now be officially tested alongside other subjects during placement assessments for public secondary schools. He confirmed that from 2025, pupils sitting for the placement test would be tested in Mathematics, which includes Quantitative Reasoning and Primary Science, and in Language, which comprises English Studies, Yoruba Language, Verbal Reasoning, and General Paper.
In a statement issued by the Deputy Director of Public Affairs at the Lagos State Examinations Board, Bakare Fatai, it was noted that the policy is the result of a consensus reached by key stakeholders, including the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), Conference of Private Schools Association in Lagos (COSPAIL), and the Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (LASUBEB). Other stakeholders involved in the decision included the Curriculum Services Department of the Ministry, Association of Christians International, and Egbe Akomolede ati Asa Yoruba.
The permanent secretary further highlighted UNESCO’s recommendation to use a child’s indigenous language in early education. He stressed that introducing Yoruba at this level would strengthen the teaching and learning process, helping children connect with their cultural roots while fostering academic growth.
Abolaji reassured stakeholders of the state government’s commitment to addressing challenges related to teaching and learning the Yoruba language in schools, ensuring that both teachers and students can adapt to the curriculum with ease. He concluded that this policy marks a significant step in promoting the value of indigenous languages in Lagos State’s education system.
