17 Mar 2024

The implementation of the policy on mother tongue use in primary schools has been hailed as a welcome move towards preservation and protection of indigenous languages.

Some stakeholders in the education system appreciated government for recognising the importance of languages in the socio-economic development of the country during the celebration of language day over the weekend.

The event was  organised by Lekgotla la Setswana Foundation in collaboration with Maun Senior Secondary School (MSSS) Setswana department and renowned singer and songwriter, Magadeline Lesolobe popularly known as Charmagal.

They said the policy would help learners to communicate, express themselves better and understand teachers using their mother tongue.

The introduction of the use of mother tongue, they said, would improve academic performance.

They were of the view that if children were introduced to learning and teaching in their mother tongue they developed a firmer grasp of the concepts they were being taught.

“Of recent, Batswana have experienced for the first time introduction of the use of mother tongue in most of our primary schools and this is one of the best moves made by Ministry of Education and Skills Development. You may be good in foreign languages but our thoughts and emotions can only be expressed thoroughly through our native languages, said Maun Senior Secondary School head teacher, Kagiso Casalis.

The theme of the day; My Language, My Pride, Casalis  said, expressed that Batswana should find pride in their indigenous languages and teach young ones the importance of the identity.

She said it was important for a child to be fluent in their mother tongue.

Casalis also appreciated Lekgotla la Setswana Foundation, which she noted was established by teachers passionate about languages noting that the foundation saw it fit to organise language day to promote preservation of languages and encourage communities to take pride in the use of their mother tongue.

Principal education officer-North West, Popagano Mokobi said implementation of the policy on using mother tongue as a medium of instruction in primary schools which started last year in Ngamiland region was progressing well stating that the implementation was done into two phases.

She informed the gathering that about 45 schools in the region were implementing the policy, with 11 schools using Sesarwa/Naro language as medium of instruction, while Otjiherero/Otjibanderu was used in 17 schools.

Other languages implemented in the region included ThiMbukushu, sign language and Khwedam and

Mokobi urged learners and the community at large to take pride in their languages as they were their identity.

“While we appreciate that mother tongue is an example of unity and solidarity of the nation, we will not leave behind the use of Setswana language because it is a unifying language, it’s our national pride,” she said.

However, she warned communities to refrain from undermining and undervaluing their indigenous language, saying they should appreciate that language was an instrument of human expression, interaction and transaction.

Mokobi stressed the need for communities to appreciate the power of the language, adding each one was unique.

She cited Sesarwa language, which she said had 13 dialects but only five were in use.

Setswana Senior Teacher at MSSS, Masego Sekgere said the primary objective of the day was to sensitise learners and the public at large about the importance of languages and provide a platform for information sharing among publishers and writers.

The event, she said, would promote creative writing in Setswana.

Meanwhile three pupils were awarded some prize monies for taking part in a Setswana essay writing sponsored by Charmagal. ENDS