The Togolese Minister of Primary, Secondary, and Technical Education, Komla Dodji Kokoroko, recently announced a series of reforms aimed at strengthening bilingual education in Togo. One of the significant measures is the introduction of English from preschool and primary levels, which will take effect in the upcoming academic year.
In a statement released on Friday, September 15, the ministry emphasized the importance of this reform in preparing young Togolese for a globalized and competitive future. To ensure the effective implementation of this ambitious reform, over 200 teachers have been selected and are currently undergoing intensive training. Their pedagogical preparation includes acquiring advanced language skills and utilizing specific tools and methodologies for teaching English to young students.
The pilot phase of this initiative has also been launched, with the selection of a number of schools. These schools will test the new programs and pedagogical approaches, allowing for valuable feedback before the full expansion of this reform throughout the Togolese education system.
It is important to note that this reform comes a few months after Togo joined the Commonwealth, an international organization primarily composed of English-speaking countries. This membership has strengthened Togo’s ties with the English-speaking world and likely played a role in the decision to promote English in the country’s education.
