Teach Pupils their local language, American educationist called on Ghanaian Teachers!

Ms. Malcioln together with the organisers of the program and the beneficiaries

The Deputy Education office Director of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Ms. Yvette Malcioln has called on educational stakeholders to teach pupils their local language to boost and enrich the African culture.

According to her, learning in the mother tongue is integral and it preserves individual’s culture thus aid in comprehension.

Ms. Malcioln addressing the participants

“Learning in the mother tongue first is very important and it is the key part of the learning process. It makes it harder and it takes longer time for children to become fluent readers when they learn in English which is not their first language but it is much easier to learn the basis in their mother tongue, for this language that they speak at home helps them to understand and read fluently,” she said.

• Ms. Malcioln said this at a reading competition held in Accra by Infinity 970 and FHI Learning in collaboration with USAID and the Ministry of Education.

Ms. Malcioln giving an award to one of the winners

Dubbed “Read for Life” the programme seeks to unearth the talent of pupils and help them to cultivate the habit of reading.

The competition engaged pupils of La Nkwantanang circuit of schools to compete for a prize.

The winners took home exercise books, reading materials, pack of pencils and crayons.

Participants reading

The La Nkwantanang Municipal Director of Education, Mr. Peter Namba Ngala indicated that the Ministry of Education and USAID joined forces to promote the reading of the local dialect since it has been relegated.

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He further stated that even when tutors are teaching pupils Ghanaian language in school they mix the language with English therefore the programme would improve teaching and learning of the local language in various schools.

To ensure consistency in reading among children, Mr. Michael Kwabla Odonkor, the Head teacher of Tenashie Junior High School entreated the Ministry of Education to build libraries in communities and schools for children to get access to books at all times to read.

Mr. Odonkor giving an award to one of the winners

He lauded Infinity 970 for organising the programme to enlighten pupils on the right part of acquiring good grades, certificate and improving education in Ghana.

“We are happy that infinity 970 is leading this read for life campaign and providing incentives for talented kids. I must say the pupils are enlightened and I know they will never stop reading but each and every day they will read to build on their reading ability. I request that the organisation should extend the programme nationwide for every child to be aware and know the essence of reading,” he said.

Ms. Davies presenting an award to one of the beneficiaries

The Executive Director of Infinity 970, Ms Babra Davies pledged that her outfit would continue to support schools and children to foster reading and help pupils to unleash their talents to help boost the government’s dream of giving every child a chance to have quality education adding that “pupils must expose themselves to new ways of learning since it will open their minds to see bigger horizons of life and secure a better position for them in future.”

By Joyceline Natally Cudjoe