Using The Esan Language in Enhancing the Delivery of Quality Education in Edo State, Nigeria

International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume V, Issue XI, November 2021 | ISSN 2454–6186

Using The Esan Language in Enhancing the Delivery of Quality Education in Edo State, Nigeria

Okhiria Idemudia I., Samuel E.A Osime & Felix E.A. Ogiso
Edo State College of Education, Nigeria

Abstract: The constant use of indigenous language (Esan)was discovered to be a perfect medium of imparting knowledge in primary schools which was fundamental to educational growth in the country. It sufficed to state that “Esan Language belonged to the north-central part of “Edoid” Language in Edo State, and it has been in use as a medium of instruction in Esan Central Primary Schools. Specifically, the study focused on promoting Esan Language among the multifarious Indigenous Languages in Nigeria, enhancing the consciousness of “Esan Language among Esan primary school pupils, assisting teachers with workable methodologies of teaching/learning of Esan language, assisting the Ministry of Education in the preparation of Esan Language syllabus for Primary Schools, etc. Also, the study which is based on theoretical and empirical approaches focused on the sampling of sixteen (16) primary schools which were randomly selected from the four kingdoms in the targeted Local Government. Total of (50) pupils were sampled through a designed questionnaire in each school bringing it to a total number of eight hundred (800) respondents in each of the schools. The study further highlighted the findings which revealed inter alia that Esan Language was taught in all the primary schools by teachers who were all from Esan origin though not qualified (not Esan certificated). There were no libraries in schools as well as sufficient textbooks for the subject. The pupils can speak Esan Fluently but cannot write and read a passage fluently in Esan Language. Outside Esan Language, no other subject is taught with “Esan” in primary schools. All these justified the hypotheses raised for the study. Finally, Conclusion and Recommendations were made for quality teaching and learning of the Esan language in Esan Central Local Government Area of Edo State.

I. INTRODUCTION

‘Esan’ is a language spoken by the people of Esan for effective communication and social integration. The people of Esan have a common language, custom and tradition. According to Okojie (1994) ‘The key to a people’s character or personality can be found in their music, dances and folklore’ This opinion captures the true identity of the people of Esan who are popularized globally by such various dances as IGBABONELIMI (Acrobatic dance), IJELEGHE, OLEKE, OHOGHO, AGBEGA, to mention a few.
Geographically, the Esan people of Edo State, occupy an area of about 2987.52 square kilometers and are located on a plateau at the Edo Central region of the state. A homogenous and highly vibrant people ,Esan consists politically of five Local Government areas: Esan West, Esan Central, Esan North East, Esan South East and Igueben. According to Okojie (1994), the origin of Esan is traceable to Ewuare’s wooing of 1946. Before this time, many of the important districts in Edo Central living in isolations were: Uruwa (Irrua), Uronmun (Uromi), Ekunma (Ekpoma), Ubiaza (Ubiaja), Ukpozi ( Opoji), etc.

Read More