Language of instruction in education in Africa: how new questions help generate new answers

Pinxteren, L.M.C. van (2021)

Article / Letter to editor

This paper reviews the major arguments used over the years in favour of mother-tongue instruction in Africa. It analyses the reasons that have been given for the lack of progress made. It suggests that the current Western paradigms obstruct a view of current and expected developments in this area. It offers a new analysis, based on the evolution of enrolment rates in education. The paper argues that in the next decade or so, a transition to using African languages more at all levels of education will become unavoidable.

• Language of Instruction
• Language Maintenance
• Enrolment Rate
• Comparative Education
• Sub-Saharan Africa

• All authors: Pinxteren, L.M.C. van
• Date: 2021-11-24
• Journal: International Journal of Educational Development
• Volume: 88
• DOI: doi:10.1016/j.ijedudev.2021.102524