Assessment on Integration of Idoma Language among Public Lower Basic Education Schools in Benue State, Nigeria

This study investigated the assessment on integration of Idoma language among public lower basic education schools in Benue state, Nigeria. The research set out to determine the extent of implementation of Idoma language as a medium of instruction and communication in the primary schools. It also sought to survey the attitude of the Idoma people towards the knowledge and use of the language for communication. The instrument for the study was a questionnaire. Seven research questions were raised. Through a proportional random sampling technique, forty-five (45) primary schools consisting of five (5) primary schools each from the nine Local Government Areas were randomly selected for the study. The results indicated that the extent to which Idoma language is used as a medium of instruction at the lower primary school is significantly low. The study revealed that the availability of materials for the teaching of Idoma language in the lower primary schools within the Idoma community is relatively significant. The research findings showed results that there is a prolific use of the Idoma language in the social and cultural life of the Idoma people within the Idoma nation. It was recommended that there is the need for increase awareness by drawing attention to its fragility (the Idoma language), value and the need for its transmission to children in the school and homes. It is essential that parents speak to their children in their native tongue and insist on it being spoken back.