Minister of Youth, Gender, Sport and Culture, Tumiso Rakgare says there is a decline in the use of local languages due to globalisation, urbanisation and development.

As such, there is need to deve l op gr ammar s , orthographies and document local languages in both print and electronic media. The availability and accessibility of these recordings, according to Rakgare will activate an interest in using mand researching more on them.

The Minister said the development of these languages needs concerted efforts of all. He explained that the Government of Botswana has deliberately taken a stand to introduce mother tongue languages in pre- schools and for Standards 1 - 2. Rakgare said this will not only enable better student and teacher interactions but will also enhance the quality of education.

“This is because language plays an integral part in education and learning, value systems, the transmission of living heritage and all other forms of communication critical in sustainable human relations, associations and socio- economic activities,” he said.

He added that it is also key in all other forms of human survival such as the use of language in areas like legal matters, interpreting policies, trade, human rights and others.

Botswana adopted February 21 as its National Languages Day, the day that the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation ( UNESCO), refers to as International Mother Language Day, and is celebrated globally.

The commemoration was celebrated under the theme, ‘ My language, My pride’, in Mmathethe village.

Rakgare told the gathering that the resolution to teach mother tongue is in- line with the UNESCO theme for the 2023 International Mother Language Day: Multilingual Education - A Necessity to Transform Education.

The theme seeks to ensure that education is not only accessible but also adaptable, which means being culturally rel evant. The Mi n i s ter indicated that multilingual education enhances the quality of education by underlining the importance of cultural and linguistic diversity, the relevance of learning to learners’ lives, and mutual understanding.

It also facilitates participation and action towards sustainable development by giving access to new knowledge and new cultural expressions, thus ensuring global, as well as local interactions on traditional and

indigenous issues.

Rakgare who is al so Member of Parliament for Mogodistshane stated that it further facilitates the inclusion of ethnic groups that speak non- dominant languages in education.

“It is worth noting that the National Policy on Culture, 2001, presents language as a mirror of society’s culture, and acts as a symbol of national unity and identity. On the other hand, Botswana’s Vision 2036 acknowledges that culture represents a unique, dynamic and irreplaceable body of values, traditions and languages.

“The revised National Policy on Education further recognises that early stage learning capability requires cultural context as a base for knowledge building for which mother tongue is an important component,” Rakgare said.

The Minister stated that in order to reinforce the language drive for social inclusion for all, his Ministry recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the University of Botswana. He revealed that this partnership wi ll open a window of opportunities in the research on local languages.

“The University has always partnered with us and other community organisations to research on languages and thus a number of local languages have developed orthographies and learning materials as a means of transmission and safeguarding of our languages in Botswana,” he said.

Rakgare said that these steps are critical in building a nation that is firm and strong in its value systems through the use of local languages.