Children Performing Arts Workshop (CHIPAWO) will on 24 and 25 February commemorate the International Mother Language Day with a special play titled “Mutambo Wapanyika-Tichatongwa,” that will be staged at the Theater in the park in Harare.
By Munashe Chokodza
The commemorations, held under the theme “Towards Sustainable Futures through Multilingual Education” will be attended by children from various CHIPAWO centers and invited schools who will showcase performances in numerous mother tongue languages.
In an interview with 263Chat, CHIPAWO Spokesperson, Chipo Basopo said “This day seeks to promote linguistic diversity, multilingual education and to give children freedom of expression in their mother tongue.
“On this day CHIPAWO will be showcasing children’s talents through arts. Its also a platform for children to raise awareness on the importance of mother language.”
She added that every year children from CHIPAWO centers in Norton, Chitungwiza, Harare, Domboshava, and Bindura come together to celebrate the day through totemic praises, children’s games, children songs, sign language learning among others.
According to UNESCO Director General, Ms Irina Bokova, education and information in the mother language is absolutely essential to improving learning and developing confidence and self-esteem, which are among the most powerful engines of development.
“That is why learning languages is at one and the same time a promise of peace, of innovation and of creativity.
“International Mother Language Day, devoted this year to multilingual education, is also an opportunity to mobilize for the Sustainable Development Goals, and in particular SDG 4, to ensure inclusive and quality education for all and promote lifelong learning,” said Bokova.
