The State of Mother Tongue Education in Tivland: Factors and Actors

Christian missionaries who brought western education into Tivland favoured mother tongue education (MTE) practice in their schools. This yras certainly so because right from time MTE practice was considered very vital in the educational development of a child. However, when government took over the control of these schools, MTE practice declined. As a result, for sometime now, Tiv language has witnessed a downturn in its fortunes. Usage spheres of the language, as well as competence levels of the language are fast declining. The concern of this article is to point out the factors responsible for this decline, and how the decline has affected the state of MTE in Tivland. Suggestions aimed at changing the situation are then made, especially that with a strong sentimental attachment, efforts aimed at modernizing the language to meet with the demands of the modem world will record a huge success. In this connection, institutions, organizations, individuals, and government should rise up to the challenge.