Education experts have called on the government to integrate the teaching of vernacular languages in primary schools in efforts to promote local cultures and enhance comprehension among young learners.
The scholars said the tendency to favour Western languages like English in teaching and learning has been a hindrance to easy comprehension of some subjects, leading to poor performance.
Speaking during a book launch at Zetech University, Ruiru Campus, the experts said the languages should be taught in rural schools up to class six.
“We should revert to the old ways where learning vernacular languages had been integrated into the school curriculum. It enabled many learners to understand more about their cultures as well as helped in comprehension of even difficult subjects,” said Dr. Theophilus Kyando, a lecturer from the Technical University of Kenya.
Dr. Kyando argued that most students struggle in key subjects like mathematics and science, attributing these challenges to language barriers. He added that some children rarely understand their indigenous languages, which limits their creativity and comprehension of issues.
“This tendency to favour Western languages in learning has eroded our cultures. Even Western nations have preserved and even globalised their native languages, while African languages are often sidelined. This needs to stop,” said Dr. Kyando.
Prof. Oyier Nyaruath from the University of Nairobi echoed these sentiments, emphasising the need to revive a culture of reading. He cited Sweden as an example of a country that once deprioritized books in favour of digital media, only to later recognise the knowledge gap and reinstate book reading and writing.
Zetech University Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Njenga Munene, highlighted the significance of such forums in fostering intellectual growth. He noted that inviting experts from various institutions enriches academic discourse and sharpens students’ minds, making such engagements invaluable to any serious university.
The discussion took place during the launch of “I”, a book authored by Dr. Daniel Mwai that has details on human nature.
By Muoki Charles