Chinedum Treasure
Executive Chairman of Anambra State Universal Basic Education Board (ASUBEB) Awka, Anambra state, Dr. Vera Nwadinobi has charged parents and teachers to expose children in the State to Igbo language.
She expressed concern that Igbo language is gradually going into extinction largely because of the manner that today’s parents and educators are relegating Igbo language behind.
She appealed to parents and teachers, especially teachers in the private schools to abide by the National Policy on education which directs that a child should be taught with his or her mother’s language from the Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) stage to primary 3, to enable the child to be grounded in language development.
“Educators must teach children in their mother language to enhance the survival of indigenous languages.
“Language has much influence on the societal values, which are increasingly being eroded today. Much of the cultural norms and traditions of any society are transferred to their children through their mother language,” she added.
The international mother language day was approved by UNESCO in November 1999 in recognition of linguistic diversity in the world as well as to preserve indigenous languages for future generations.
Consequently, 21st of February, every year has been set aside to celebrate mother language across the globe. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the world mother language day with the theme: “Silver Jubilee Celebration of International Mother Language Day”.
The theme speaks to the critical roles that languages play in the education of the young, especially as the vehicle for the transmission of knowledge, and socialization.
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