Factors Affecting Teaching and Learning of the Ibibio Language in Secondary Schools in Akwa Ibom State

Language is simultaneously a vehicle for a people’s culture and a means of maintaining and indefinitely preserving that culture. In other not to lose our identity as a people, together with our rich cultural heritage, attention must be paid to the teaching and learning of our mother-tongue (Ibibio) in schools. This study was therefore designed to identify those factors (knowledge, skill and activities) which could aid teachers, students, policy makers and other stakeholders to implement effective programmes for the teaching and learning of the Ibibio language in secondary schools in Akwa Ibom State. Specifically, this study examines factors which would make the study of Ibibio language attractive to teachers and students, such as: teachers training and professional competence, curriculum development, textbooks, and government policies. This investigation was carried out using questionnaire as the research instrument. Separate questionnaires were designed for students and teachers to elicit relevant information. The result of this investigation shows that there is a very severe deficit in the number of qualified Ibibio language teachers, as such, most schools do not offer the subject as required by the National Policy on Education (2004). There is, therefore, an urgent need for massive recruitment and training of Ibibio language teachers for sustainability of Ibibio language education. Also, the provision of other teaching tools apart from textbooks such as provision of audio teaching material, conducive classrooms, and Ibibio Artefact centres are urgently needed.