{The Minister of Sports and Culture, Uwacu Julienne has stressed the importance of teaching Rwandans their mother language and use it in daily lives for communication, innovations and development.}
Uwacu conveyed the message on Sunday during the celebration of International Mother Language Day attended by various Rwandans and foreigners.
“Knowledge in foreign languages should not undermine our mother tongue. All developed countries across the world with strong economies, strong leaders and artistes owe their progress to the foundation of cultural values transmitted through mother tongue ,” she said.
“As Rwandans we are devoted to uphold our culture as a foundation of our development, ‘she added.
She requested teachers to deliver good education to children in connection with strengthening cultural values.
“Teachers have to understand that mathematics, chemistry and other offered courses would be useless for the country if they are not rooted in culture facilitated by our mother language,” she said.
The head of National Academy of Language and Culture, Dr Niyomugabo Cyprien said that many efforts are being concentrated in promoting mother language. He said they are undergoing the process of seeking meaning of Kinyarwanda words from foreign languages used in Rwanda and devising means of availing online Kinyarwanda dictionary.
In Rwanda, learners study in Kinyarwanda language from first to third year of primary school.
Kinyarwanda is granted among 3 administrative languages used in Rwanda. The 2003 constitution as amended to date established the National Academy of Language and Culture which has in its responsibilities to preserve Kinyarwanda.
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