The national languages of Sierra Leone: a decade of policy experimentation

Abstract

Opening ParagraphThis article deals with the national languages of Sierra Leone and their use in education since 1978. Language information relevant to the period under review as well as language policy and its implementation are focal parts of our discussion.There exists in practice if not in theory a formal mother-tongue education programme at primary school level in specially selected pilot schools of all four geographical regions of Sierra Leone. This programme was initiated in 1978 within the framework of a national language policy later spelt out in a working UNESCO study of 1981. Similarly, adult literacy education has gained rapid expansion over the same period although this sector of indigenous language education is mostly handled by so-called nongovernmental agencies such as CUSO Sierra Leone, the People's Educational Association (PEA), and similar bodies. To this extent the recommendations and proposals of the Dalby report concerning the implementation of a national language policy for Sierra Leone have seen practical implementation as well as some degree of experimentation in formal and non-formal education. In short, the bare bones of this experimental framework are illuminated by practice.