Which way now as to languages for our education!
Recently we had News reports about the issue of teaching vernacular in our primary schools.The debate has picked in most media networks with a University adding his voice on the need to teach in or use of Sheng in our schools.
There are arguments against the use of vernacular since we are in the digital era,a view of modernity in the 21st century.But even beyond 21st century,don't we need our culture or else we become slaves "mwacha mila ni mtumwa".
Recently we had News reports about the issue of teaching vernacular in our primary schools.The debate has picked in most media networks with a University adding his voice on the need to teach in or use of Sheng in our schools.
There are arguments against the use of vernacular since we are in the digital era,a view of modernity in the 21st century.But even beyond 21st century,don't we need our culture or else we become slaves "mwacha mila ni mtumwa".
One cannot talk of culture without language as a key subject since language is a tool for communication.
I had a chance of doing assignments for Nsemia Inc.Publishers - www.nsemia.com on two publications in their process of making them i.e 1). Riddles of Abagusii of Kenya by Chris Okemwa and 2). Abagusii Wisdom Revisited - Nemwel Atemba.
The two publications are rich on or about the Gusii community.In my assignment,i heavily depended on the vernacular issues i learn t in my Standard 2 back in the day as the subject teacher had written materials affixed on the walls and charts with animals and physical features that he was able to drive his point of the subject matter home.
Educationists and or academicians must be able draw a line between Modernity and civilization.
Modern situations have had gadgets "rule" in our houses i.e computer and phones that keep people busy that the old good days of family talks through riddles and story telling are wanting.
Where are we going to get authors on or about our history leave alone where shall we get research materials and or persons to walk us down memory lane!
Evans MACHERA
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