Êtes-vous Prêt? As French Becomes COMPULSORY in Nigerian Schools

Should you be wondering what êtes-vous prêt? means, a quick look on Google will tell you it means are you ready? Yes, ready to learn and master a world language, second only in importance and widespread use to English Language.

Yesterday in Abuja, Minister of State for Education, Prof Anthony Anwukah upon receiving the French Ambassador to Nigeria, Denys Gaver, who paid him a courtesy visit mentioned that the government will embark on an intensive training of more French teachers in a bid to make it the nation’s second official language.

Professor Anwukah said this much:

French Language is a matter of necessity because we have Cameroon, Niger, Chad, Benin Republic, Togo Guinea, and Ivory Coast surrounding us; hence, there is need for us to get more Nigerians to become proficient in French language.

This is good for the continent; it is good for us as a nation. It is good for our brothers across the borders because it will enable us communicate with them effectively.

Speaking to the envoy on the need to have more French teachers, the minister said:

We plead that you consider it a lot more expedient in helping us train our teachers in French at primary, secondary, and tertiary levels.

So far, we have demonstrated the enthusiasm to foster the teaching and learning of French in Nigerian schools at tertiary, basic and secondary school levels; and our main concern now is the training of sufficient number of French teachers within our school system.

The minister also flagged off the French Clinic Project at Federal Government Boys College Apo, Abuja, while maintaining that the project will be established in all 104 unity schools. It is expected that the Clinic will improve the listening, speaking, reading and writing skills of students in French.