Moi University don Jane Obuchi has called on communities to embrace their mother tongue because it plays a crucial role in developing education.
Obuchi was speaking to education stakeholders at Kisii University where she said that the mastery of English, Kiswahili or any foreign language depends on a strong foundation laid by proper knowledge of one’s mother tongue.
“The best method of educating minds is that which begins from the known to unknown,” she said.
Obuchi, a lecturer in English and Literature praised the government for re-introducing the teaching of indigenous languages in the new Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) because it will bridge the gap that has emerged between the younger generation and their elders.
“Teach this innocent young generation to stick to their culture which embodies language if they do not want to be slaves,” she said.
The don called on teachers to utilize the annual Music and Drama Festivals to infuse important indigenous linguistic tools like proverbs, sayings and parables in their performances.
She also urged the heads of learning institutions to dedicate some days of the year to celebrating indigenous knowledge in their schools.
Mrs Obuchi an author, publisher and Ekegusii translator of many books, implored the Kisii County Government to allocate funds to support artists who have exemplary talent in order to promote their vernacular language.
The researcher also appealed to thespians from Kisii County to join her in acting in literary masterpieces like William Shakespeare’s ‘Romeo and Juliet’ Chinua Achebe’s ‘Things Fall Apart’ and Ngugi wa Thiongo’s ‘I will marry when I want’.
She said that her organization will continue sensitizing communities to embrace their vernacular to help in making difficult and important lessons in the education sector easier to understand.