Student learning as measured by national assessments has not increased since 1996 and it is very low by both national and international standards. Studies of teaching and learning have identified areas in which improvements have been made, and which can be developed further into wider systems of school based teacher professional development. A major area of neglect in teacher education and support has been the importance of Nigerian languages in developing literacy and learning skills in young children, and appropriate methods and materials for introducing and developing communication skills in English as a second language and a medium of instruction in upper primary grades.