Gabon to introduce national languages in schools after English

This initiative, overseen by a technical committee, aims to strengthen social cohesion and promote the country's cultural heritage. Minister of National Education, Camélia Ntoutoume Leclercq, stated that this move is a continuation of an educational ambition that balances cultural identity with international openness. The teaching of English, for which the first Gabonese primary school textbook has just been developed, was implemented after teacher training and curriculum development.

The reform aligns with the 2010 General Assembly on Education, Gabon's 2022 Commonwealth membership, and the 2024 Curricular Orientation Framework. The minister emphasized that opening up to English should not compromise national linguistic and cultural legacies. The project builds on previous work, including the IFADEM-ELAN program, and will involve finalizing learning materials, evaluating the approach in the field, and ensuring the scientific quality of content before widespread deployment.

According to Leclercq, these reforms are building a Gabonese school system rooted in its culture, open to the world, and focused on the future.