Massawa: Seminar conducted assessing mother languages as media of instruction in Elementary education

The Education Ministry conducted a seminar in the port city of Massawa with a view to assessing researches conducted on mother languages as media of instruction in Elementary education, besides gathering views to this end.

Massawa, 23 July 2013 – The Education Ministry conducted a seminar in the port city of Massawa with a view to assessing researches conducted on mother languages as media of instruction in Elementary education, besides gathering views to this end.

Speaking at the meeting, Dr. Araya Habtai, consultant in the Curriculum Department, gave briefings regarding a research conducted based on 8 elementary schools, and pointed out that stepped-up endeavors are being exerted towards promoting equitability of education service. He further pointed out that the role of stakeholders in the Northern Red Sea region has been high in line with the area’s ethnic diversity.

In the course of their discussion, the participants of the seminar addressed the issues of acceptance in connection with mother languages, identifying dialectical disparity, and child participation vis-à-vis education in the mother tongue, among others. They also put forth views regarding several issues.

In closing remarks, Mr. Mussa Hussein Naib, head of general education in the Ministry, indicated that the seminar which was conducted at national level has become a springboard to enriching experience and gathering constructive opinions. He further noted the need for considering public opinion in connection with language use as a medium of instruction while conducting researches targeting curriculum development, and that societal role is a vital prerequisite to this end.