Parents Urged to Teach Children ‘Kiswahili’ as First Language
Teachers are encouraging parents to use Kiswahili as the primary language at home to help children become proficient in the language. Evans Okisai, a Kiswahili teacher from Ongata Royal Academy in Kajiado County, emphasized that parents should take the lead in promoting the use of Kiswahili. This approach can motivate children to communicate in Kiswahili and make them more familiar with the language.
Okisai also highlighted that teaching Kiswahili in schools faces challenges because many children are more accustomed to using English. This situation can lead to difficulties in constructing well-structured Swahili sentences, as children tend to mix English words with Kiswahili.
Teachers are urging the government and relevant authorities to give Kiswahili the attention it deserves. They suggest enlightening the public about the importance of using Kiswahili more frequently in communication, including individuals and politicians.
Chile’s ambassador, Alejandra Guerra, emphasized the significance of teaching different cultures to children. She distributed Kiswahili books to local primary schools, including “Mashairi ya Watoto,” which contains stories and poems aimed at enhancing students’ understanding and appreciation of the language.
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Guerra also expressed her commitment to supporting vulnerable African schools, highlighting education as a key agenda for their mission.
Furthermore, Victor Mutuma, a fundraiser at Orione Community Training Centre in Rongai, called on the public to help raise funds for the institution, which serves children with special needs, including autism, Down syndrome, and cerebral palsy. Regina Mbugua, the head teacher and speech therapist at the institution, urged parents not to hide children with such conditions at home but to seek specialized education and support for them.
Parents Urged to Teach Children ‘Kiswahili’ as First Language
