International Mother Language Day

The United Nations observed the annual International Mother Language Day on Saturday on the theme,” “Inclusive Education through and with Language - Language Matters.”  In a message for the occasion, Irina Bokova the Director-General of the UN’s Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) said that the annual observance is a moment for all of us to raise the flag for the importance of mother tongue to all educational efforts, to enhance the quality of learning and to reach the unreached. Mother tongue education is force for quality learning – it is also essential to bolster multilingualism and respect for linguistic and cultural diversity in societies that are transforming quickly.  She said that the focus for the post-2015 agenda must fall on the priority of advancing quality education for all - widening access, ensuring equality and inclusiveness, and promoting education for global citizenship and sustainable development.  “Education in the mother language is an essential part of achieving these goals - to facilitate learning and to bolster skills in reading, writing and mathematics. Taking this forward requires a sharper focus on teaching training, revisions of academic programmes and the creation of suitable learning environments. She noted that UNESCO was taking forward these goals with initiatives in Latin America, Asia and the Pacific. Every girl and boy, every woman and man must have the tools to participate fully in the lives of their societies – this is a basic human right and it is a force for the sustainability of all development. (Source: UN)