The 17th edition of the International Mother Tongue Day was celebrated in Cameroon on February 23, 2016.
Mother languages play an important role in the acquisition of knowledge. According to scientific studies carried out more than a decade ago, it is estimated that 221 million children in developing countries go to school without knowing their mother tongues. UNESCO remarks that Africa is the only continent where the majority of children begin schooling in a foreign language.
It is in this light that the 17the edition of the International Mother Tongue Day was celebrated in Cameroon on February 23, 2016, on the theme: “Mother tongue: Quality education, language(s) of instruction and learning outcomes.” Speaking at the occasion, the Minister of Basic Education, Youssouf Hadidja Alim, called on all stakeholders to join the government in efforts to provide quality education through mother tongues and culture.
In her message on the occasion, the Director General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova, said “Mother languages in a multilingual approach are essential components of quality education, which is itself the foundation for empowering women, men and their societies." The celebration, which marked the end of week-long activities in Cameroon, took place in the presence of cabinet ministers, representatives of international organisations, administrative authorities of the Centre Region and other guests.
