UNESCO: Mother-tongue education key to children’s success

KABUL: February 21 marks International Mother Language Day, a day highlighting the importance of education in one’s mother tongue and its vital role in nurturing children’s potential. UNESCO has warned that millions of children worldwide, particularly in rural areas, attend classes in languages that are foreign to them, creating barriers to effective learning. Research shows that children taught in their mother tongue grasp concepts more quickly, develop greater self-confidence, and demonstrate stronger creativity and problem-solving skills. The UN cultural agency stresses that mother-tongue education not only strengthens educational equity but also helps preserve cultural diversity and the unique identity of communities around the world.