Parents’ Perceptions of the Use and Study of Indigenous Languages in Schools:A Case Study of Lagos State-Blessing C. Emodi

Abstract: This study was carried out to investigate parents’ perceptions of the use and study of indigenous languages in schools in Lagos State. A survey research design was adopted for this study. The study sample consisted of 100 parents within Lagos State. The study was done by placing the questionnaire on social media platforms and distributing it within sandwich classrooms at the University of Lagos. To achieve the purpose of the study, four (4) research questions were formulated, and a questionnaire instrument was structured to elicit information from the participants. The study revealed that the majority of parents use Indigenous languages with their children at home and also encourage their children to do so; the majority of parents encourage their children to register Indigenous languages as subjects of study in schools and also congratulate them if they do well in it; parents believe that being efficient in the use of English language by their children is of utmost importance; and lastly, parents agreed that the studying of Indigenous languages in schools is bound to provide all-round development on their children, in the areas of academic activities, their personality, their mind, communication skill, and make available job opportunities. The study implies that there is a need to create an innovative strategy to ensure the use and study of Indigenous languages in schools, as it has been confirmed globally that it promotes learning achievements.

Keywords: indigenous language; English language; language policy; Lagos; University of Lagos.