Bapedi Primary School celebrates International Mother Language
The day is currently observed by more than 150 countries around the world especially countries whose mother languages are threatened by extinction.
Bapedi Primary School learners gathered in their school assembly to celebrate International Mother Language together with Diepkloof Library on February 21.
The day was approved by The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) general conference of 1999 to promote the preservation and protection of mother languages.
These are the languages that people learn as children and they use at home or in their communities.
The day is currently observed by more than 150 countries around the world especially countries whose mother languages are threatened by extinction.
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Bapedi Primary School foundation phase teacher and library coordinator, Sekgabolana Manaka said through the celebration of the day, they want their learners to have a connection to their mother languages and be able to read and write them.
The day saw teachers reading and explaining Sepedi short stories to the learners including stories that are part of the current school syllabus.
“As a Sepedi speaking and teaching school, observing this day means a lot to us because it is important to promote our mother language.
“For today, we used the method of encouraging learners through having all school teachers read aloud for them because regardless of which subject a teacher specialises on or teaches, mother language is important in our school as it enables easy communication and comprehension of information,” Manaka said.
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Diepkloof library assistance, Monica Malala said as a local library that works closely with the learners, they still have challenges in terms of reading and comprehending what they read and they have put forward positive measures such as their Book Club to aid learners that have difficulties.
“We still have learners up to senior phase who do not know how to utilise library facilities or even read a book. This is why we are urging local schools to motivate learners to come to the library and practise how to read because these facilities are made for them,” Malala said.
