A court has rejected a petition seeking to have indigenous languages used as the medium of instruction in schools dealing a setback to those pushing for greater use of mother tongues in the classroom.
The ruling was delivered at the Milimani Law Courts in Nairobi where the petition was heard. The case sought to have local languages adopted for teaching a proposal that has long divided education stakeholders, linguists and parents.
Supporters of mother-tongue instruction argue that children learn faster and understand concepts better when taught in the language spoken at home, particularly in the early years of schooling.
They also say the approach helps preserve indigenous languages and cultural identity at a time when many are under pressure from English and Kiswahili.
Opponents however have raised concerns about the practical challenges of implementation including the shortage of teachers trained in local languages the lack of learning materials and the diversity of languages in urban and cosmopolitan schools.
Some parents have also worried that heavy emphasis on local languages could disadvantage learners in national examinations which are mostly administered in English.
The decision means the current language policy in schools remains unchanged with English and Kiswahili continuing as the main languages of instruction at most levels, while indigenous languages are typically taught as subjects or used in the early grades.
The outcome is likely to reignite debate on how best to balance cultural heritage, learning outcomes and national unity within the education system.
Education stakeholders are expected to continue engaging on the issue, even as the court's decision settles the matter for now.
Link; https://x.com/citizentvkenya/status/2120615458923487475?a=o7V4q4_W54_xLjn5eBE&s=19
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