This article brings particular attention to the use of. Nabea 2009 states that, the colonial language policy in kenya is important, putting into consideration the fact that it impacted greatly on postcolonial language policy. Consequently, kenya has had several education commissions in both colonial and postcolonial periods, which, together with the constitution of kenya have had a bearing on the language policy. Historic records have the oldest signs of human civilization and settlement dating back to 2000 bc. Kenya effected the last curriculum reform in 1985, when there was a. Swahili also called kiswahili is the national language of kenya. A policy analysis of language instruction in tanzania 2017. This article discusses the language situation in kenya, beginning with an insightful history on language policies from the period when the country was still under british colonial rule. Kenya, tanzania, and uganda in the context of globalization.
Considering that in most cases lay kenyans use language in ways that are incongruent to the official policy, the paper raises the argument that. This policy will enable the country to overcome the challenges posed by modernization, globalization, liberalization, democracy and governance. Kenya s population is largely african but there are minorities. The fourth discusses language maintenance and language shift in nigeria with respect to the indigenous languages and english, the exoglossic language. Kikuyu is one of the major regional languages in the country. Effects of language policy in the school on the learning. English was inherited from kenya s british colonial past. In kenya, there are clearly discernible patterns of creative writing which may be linked to language policies. The intergovernmental conference on language policies in africa, which was held in harare zimbabwe from 17 21 march 1997, was the first meeting of its kind involving language specialists attending as governmental experts and doing the preparatory work for and advising. I begin with an overview of language policy from colonization to the present, mapping out the relative. The language policy in kenya embraces a bilingual approach to education where the childs mother tongue or the language of the catchment area is used as the medium of instruction in the first three years of primary school, while english and kiswahili are taught as subjects. After open and admittedly extensive consultations with interested parties, including afriforum, solidarity and language experts, the final report was presented to the university council and it was adopted.
Kenyan curriculum reforms and mother tongue education scielo. The essays inlanguages in africaexplore the layers of african multilingualism as they affect language policy and education. Language policy, constitution, vision 2030, kenya introduction kenya is a culturally diverse land and this fact is greatly reflected in the countrys linguistic diversity. The policy was silent on the use of languages other than setswana. Language policy in kenya journal of pan african studies. There are many other angles to the language debate, in kenya as elsewhere. The integration of the policy with the education system was criticized when launched, but since then it has proved to be of great benefit with many kenyan students excelling in foreign universities and schools because of their strong english language knowledge. Introduction the language policy in kenya embraces a bilingual approach to education where the childs mother tongue or the language of the catchment area is used as the medium of instruction in the first three years of primary school. Luhya language is native to the luhya ethnic group whose members are predominantly found in the western region of the country. Kenya is a multicultural nation and requires a culture and national heritage policy that recognizes this diversity. Language policies and practices in tanzania and south africa. Kiswahili has a heavy base in bantu languages at the coast with a mixture of arabic.
He is currently a final year doctorate student in the institute of linguistics, university of vienna. Further, the policy of promoting the two languages, and particularly english, seems to have given rise to another problem, namely, that students have not become fluent in the use of either language. Pdf kenya is a multilingual country with over forty different indigenous languages. Downloads ministry of education, science and technology. The total number of native luhya speakers in kenya is estimated to be 1. We are committed to working with our employees to provide a work environment free from violence, threats of violence, harassment, intimidation, and other disruptive behavior. Document resume ed 233 562 fl 0 652 title note 22p. In post colonial kenya, the newly formed kanu1 regime, through the ministry of education, occasionally changed the countrys language policy over the years in line with recommendations made by several commissions tailored towards education and this has had great influence on. The present paper analyses the language policy and practice in kenya so as to. This paper examines language policy in kenya from colonialism to date, with a particular focus on education. Including second language speakers, there are more speakers of swahili than english in kenya.
These countries have a similar history given that they are neighbors and were colonized by the same colonial powerthe british, although the germans colonized tanzania for a short time. Teachers attitudes towards the use of mother tongue as a. Whether the universitys policy was consistent with the ministerial language policy framework 2002 which encouraged the promotion of multilingualism. The number of individual languages listed for kenya is 68. In this article we trace language policies in kenya s formal education sector since 1963, drawing parallels between the prevailing policies and the patterns of creative writing.
This is a visual and or tactile language that uses manual signs that have structure and meaning like other languages. The national language policy is the result of extensive consultations that began way back in 1995, with the appointment of the language task group langtag. This is because the basis of the kenya s current language policy is. The language education policy in kenya requires that instruction of the first three years of formal learning in grades one, two and three, happen in mother tongue or the language of the catchment area, that is spoken by the majority of inhabitants in the area where the school is. Rwandas new english language policy aims to drop french and install english as the only language of instruction.
Analysis of the language policy in kenya, including consideration of language in education, language of the press, and the politics of language, suggests that language policies cannot be successfully formulated without analysis of and extensive debate among those groups and complex social processes whose interests are reflected in specific language policies. The colonial period is appraised with regard to pre and post second world war, while the independence era is analysed as pertains the. The bantu swahili language and english, the latter being inherited from colonial rule see british kenya, are widely spoken as lingua franca. Consequently, kenya has had several education commissions in both colonial. The language in education policy documents which follow have been the subject of discussions and debate with a wide range of education stakeholders and roleplayers.
In post colonial kenya, the newly formed kanu1 regime, through. Introduction because of the multilingual character of most colonially defined states in africa and elsewhere and because of the intuitive policies of imperialist powers, the languages of europe, specifically. Of the living languages, 60 are indigenous and 7 are nonindigenous. They have also been the subject of formal public comment following their publication on 9 may 1997 government notice no. Kenyas population is largely african but there are minorities. Teachers, attitudes, mother tongue, instruction, lower primary schools, kenya 1. Language in kenya today i sketch first the current linguistic scene. Kenya as well as in other african countries with no consensus from researchers and policy makers. Language policy and science instruction in kenyan primary schools. A policy analysis of language instruction in tanzania mari yogi sit graduate institute pim 73 a capstone paper submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements of a masters of art in.
Jamhuri ya kenya, is a country in africa with 47 semiautonomous counties governed by elected governors. Policy that will rectify the situation and restore national pride. Klrc has an additional mandate of preparing new legislation to give effect to the constitution. The impact of language policy and practice on childrens learning. English for example, is different from most kenya languages in terms of. Language policy in kenya and the new constitution for. Kenya is a multilingual country with over forty different indigenous languages. Kenya, 2012, 20 indicate that literacy skills in english among children transiting to upper primary are insufficient, implying that basic literacy skills are acquired in midupper primary. In this case, the primary or first language of deaf children in kenya is the kenyan sign language, which is used for instruction and communication within and outside the school environment. The language is the native language among members of the agikuyu ethnic group who reside in the central region of the country.
Language planning and policy in kenya a case study of. Is the language ineducation policy inadequate to address the skill development problem. Pdf language policy and practices in education in kenya and. The policy makers frame the change as a major factor in the success of social and education reforms aimed at promoting reconciliation and peace and increasing rwandas participation in global economic development. Kenya has a kind of trifocal language policy that recognises the role of the vernaculars. The impact of language policy and practice on childrens. Language policy, multilingual education, and power in. The policy provides a broad framework on kenyas foreign relations and diplomatic engagements within a contemporary globalized environment. Kenyas indigenous languages, official policies would not be implemented. The core section of the monograph investigates language policy and planning, with an emphasis on the mother tongue medium or first language policy and the multilingual policy. Its languageineducation policy for early primary education was enacted in 1976.
The language education policy in kenya requires that instruction of the first three years of formal learning in grades one, two and three, happen in mother tongue or the language of the catchment area, that is spoken by the majority of inhabitants in the area where the school is located nabea. The impact of language policy and practice on childrens learning argues that improved evidence, networking, southtosouth learning and advocacy are going to be crucial to create a focus on mothertongue education environments. Asians indians, pakistanis and goans and europeans. Studies on linguistic human rights in various parts of the globe are now in vogue.
Kenya s current language policies are either based on concepts carried over from the colonial. Problems and challenges 1 birgit brockutne and halla b. The kenyan indigenous languages and the mass media. Multilingualism, language policy and creative writing in kenya esther k mbithi correspondence. I will begin with kenya, fol lowed by tanzania, and then uganda. An engagement with literature is, indeed, a continuing process of improving our capacity to use language and refining our sensibility to good language use.
At 580,367 square kilometres 224,081 sq mi, kenya is the worlds 48th largest country by total area. Language ineducation policy in kenya 217 common underlying proficiency cummins, 1984 implying that languages share basic features at the deeper level. Aug 25, 2017 luhya is another major regional language spoken in kenya. The finalization of the kenya foreign policy marks a milestone achievement for our nation. There are an estimated 7 million native kikuyu speakers in kenya who account for 22% of the countrys population. Language policy in kenya has kept on changing in our educational institutions from the period before independence and up to the period after independence.
Furthermore, 12 are institutional, 34 are developing, 15 are vigorous, 2 are in trouble, and 4 are dying. It is the first time since our independence that kenya has a written foreign policy. Language planning and policy in kenya a case study of kenyan cities. Language planning, therefore, involves policy making as the first step in a very long and complex process. One reason that has been suggested is the nature of the target language. Language policy in kenya and the new constitution for vision 2030. For travelers to kenya, the implementation of the language policy has brought in. Whether the adoption of the language policy that discontinued the use of afrikaans as a primary medium of instruction, by the university of the free state university, was constitutionally valid. Its language ineducation policy for early primary education was enacted in 1976. Throughout the 1950s colonial era, learners in kenyan primary schools. English is the language of choice in business, academics and social setups in kenya.
The report provides a critical evidence base for responding to the changing development context. This will drive the education sector reforms that should lead the country to achieving the tenets of the constitution of kenya 2010 and the kenya vision 2030. This chapter examines education language policy debates in three east african countries. An international language like french or english, a vestige of colonialism, carries prestige, is used in higher education, and promises mobilityand yet it will not be well known by its users. Current language policy national language policy mandates use of the language of the catchment area as the medium of instruction in grades 1 to 3 nyatuka, 2014. Kibui senior lecturer, school of education and logamurthie athiemoolam, university of nairobi, nairobi, kenya ph. Multilingualism, language policy and creative writing in kenya. It is the companys policy to promote a safe environment for its employees.
Pluralism, language and the constitution jill cottrell ghai. The new language policy was that english would be the only primary medium of instruction. In kenya, there are clearly discernible patterns of creative writing which may be linked to language. Kiswahili and english in the national education system. D senior lecturer, faculty of education, nelson mandela metropolitan university, south africa abstract. This paper traces the key landmarks in the development of language policy in kenya. This paper focuses on the use of mother tongue in lower primary in schools in rural areas in kenya and the reasons for deviations from guidelines that recommend the use of language of the catchment area in classes. In post colonial kenya, the newly formed kanu1 regime, through the ministry of education, occasionally changed the countrys language policy over the years in line with recommendations made by several commissions tailored towards education and this has had great influence on the current language situation. Even where there is a formal written language policy, its effect on language practices is neither guaranteed nor consistent. In this sense it is a descriptive abstraction, not necessarily an established, recognised norm, which should become clear from u,e following survey. The implementation plan outlines the strategies that will be used in implementing the language policy, proposing structures that will be key to. While this kind of conduct is not common, no organization is.
Second epoch of colonial language policy after the second world war, there was a shift in the british colonial language policy which hurt. Swahili is the declared national language of kenya but has also recently in august 2010. Kenya school readiness assessement tool ksrat launching programme published by the ministry of education science and technology with support from the united nations childrens fund unicef december 2015. Language policy for education and development in tanzania eleuthera sa swarthmore college abstract this paper examines language policy in tanzanian schools and its effect on education, equality and economic development.
Languageineducation policy in kenya nordic journal of african. Language policy and science instruction in kenyan primary schools ailie cleghorn, marilyn merritt, and jared o. Abagi the manner in which language is actually used during instruction is important for understanding educational outcomes in a multilingual, developing country. English remains the dominant language in kenyan politics and commerce. Language policy for education and development in tanzania.
In the process of exploring language, we also engage in the study of literature. Language policy and science instruction in kenyan primary. Negotiation with hegemony by wendo nabea department of linguistics, university of vienna, vienna, austria the author teaches linguistics at egerton university, kenya. National, official and other languages kenya law reform.
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