People are fuming over reports that some parents in Nigeria are paying extra fees for their children to learn the British accent. Investigations conducted by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) disclosed that the teaching of British accent had been included in the curriculum of most schools, with some parents paying $28 and $70 in extra fees for their children to acquire the accent.
According to the report, schools around areas like Garki, Wuse, Asokore, Gwarimpa, Asokoro and Maitama in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) had developed classes named “Phonics”, “Elocution”, “Enunciation” and “Diction.” The classes, which were developed based on pressure from parents are often separated from the normal English and Literature lessons and were allocated special times on the timetable.
Some parents told the NAN that having their children speak in the British accent makes them feel that their children are being taken through the appropriate formal education.
“I feel the pride of a parent when my children go to Church and people envy the way they speak smartly, at least I won’t be bothered if they go abroad. They will be able to interact with white people and understand them when they talk. It is something every parent should pay for to improve the children’s English language,” a parent was quoted as saying.
But many have since taken to social media to express their disapproval over the development. For these people, using an accent to determine the intellect of a person and the quality of education received is rather worrying, especially in this era of change where Africans are repairing the damage of colonialism and redefining their identity.
Here is how people reacted to the news on Twitter:
Lmaoooo guy I once heard this guy who left Nigeria just last year, switch from American to British accent in one sentence. Dude lives in Canada? https://t.co/ibGZYYCxAh
— ego mmege (@chy_nelo_) February 28, 2018
Fascinating thread. This is why parents paying extra for their kids to speak in British accent as they reside in Nigeria is the epitome of inferiority complex.
You’ve spoken my mind about the state of our education. It’s homeschooling all the way for me. https://t.co/GsLcwPrCYT
— Jamila (@JKFagge) February 27, 2018
Found out how highly one is perceived for having a British accent in Nigeria while reading #Americanah didn’t realize the perceptions have not changed @AdichieSpeaks https://t.co/HC0RbMemYe
— MK_Hilda (@_social_misfit_) February 27, 2018
Madness of the highest order. Wetin dey for British accent? So Na we don’t dey import accent for Nigeria?
— Nero Bodam (@NeroBodam) February 27, 2018
Isn’t this normal in Nigeria? Adeosun spoke with British accent and people automatically assumed she’s smart https://t.co/8EYFt1aw7H
— Arinze (@RINZOID) February 28, 2018
Decolonise your mind! Wakanda nonsense is this? Love yourself!
Abuja parents pay extra fees for children to learn British accent | https://t.co/uPQF4KdQAM https://t.co/3TiucUTnYD via @todayng— linda ogwell (@linogwell) February 28, 2018
