Revolutionizing STEM Education: Odinala Cultural Heritage Foundation Spearheads Initiative for Teaching STEM Subjects in Igbo Language
AWKA/Nigeria: In a groundbreaking move aimed at revolutionizing Nigeria’s scientific and technological landscape, the Odinala Cultural Heritage Foundation (OCHIE Igbo) has declared that incorporating the mother tongue into the teaching of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) holds the key to the nation’s advancement.
Mr. Okoro Chinedum, the Executive Director of OCHIE Igbo STEM School, delivered this assertion on Thursday in Awka during the announcement of the inauguration of committees tasked with developing the curriculum for STEM education in Igbo language. This initiative is being undertaken in collaboration with Nnamdi Azikiwe University (NAU), Awka.
Chinedum emphasized, “Great minds have always argued that the security and future of every society lies in the education of its children. By deliberately integrating the culture, values, and traditions of a people with science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, we can unlock the secrets of progress, as demonstrated by developed nations.”
“The OCHIE Igbo STEM Project, conceived in 2021, aims to harness the benefits associated with teaching STEM subjects in schools using indigenous languages,” he added. “This approach mirrors the strategies employed by nations like Japan, India, China, and Korea, which have earned global recognition in science, innovation, and information technology.”
Echoing this sentiment, Prof. Charles Esimone, Vice-Chancellor of NAU, asserted that instructing STEM subjects in indigenous languages would not only bolster scientific advancement but also safeguard the nation’s cultural heritage and identity.
“No nation can achieve scientific advancement without instruction in its indigenous language,” Esimone emphasized. “The examples of China, Europe, and other advanced countries clearly demonstrate that indigenous language instruction is paramount. Igbo language, being ancient and potent, is no exception. By following the lead of advanced nations, we can propel our nation forward.”
Esimone highlighted NAU’s commitment to the OCHIE Igbo STEM project, citing the university’s exceptional human resources and infrastructure as instrumental in its success. Once the curriculum and framework are developed, the initiative will commence at NAU before expanding to other tertiary institutions, secondary, and primary schools nationwide.
The Coordination Committee for the project, led by Prof. Joseph Ikechebelu, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) of NAU, with Mr. Okoro Chinedum as Co-Chairman, will oversee the implementation of this transformative endeavor, paving the way for a new era of scientific and technological excellence rooted in Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage.
