The Challenges of the Igbo Language Teachers in the 21st Century

Abstract

AbstractEducation is a major tool for national development. The educational system plays an important role in theproduction of the human resources needed to function in different facets of national life and development process. Thispaper argues for the use of Igbo alongside English as media of instruction in schools. This will further promote andenhance the Igbo science and technology. While it is observed that the production of qualified teachers to teach at variouslevels of education is a major challenge facing the educational system in contemporary Nigeria (Ibidapo-Obe,2007), thispaper identifies learners’ attitude as a major challenge facing the Igbo language teachers in Igboland. The paper, therefore,recommends the use of an audio-visual laboratory at all levels of education in order to stimulate learners’ interest inIgbo lessons; the introduction of oral Igbo production in the classrooms which will comprise the phonemic inventories ofall Igbo dialects; and teachers who are knowledgeable in both science and Igbo to teach science in Igbo.