Experts call for vernacular language use in schools, revival of reading culture

Experts are calling for the promotion of vernacular languages in schools and the revival of a declining reading culture amid the rise of digital media.

Speaking at a forum at Zetech University’s Ruiru Campus during the launch of “I”, a book by Dr. Daniel Mwai, education scholars stressed the need to integrate vernacular languages into learning.

Dr. Theophilus Kyando of the Technical University of Kenya attributed students’ struggles in mathematics and science to language barriers, arguing that teaching in vernacular would improve comprehension.

He criticized the preference for English and other Western languages, noting that while Western nations preserve and globalize their native tongues, African languages remain marginalized.

Professor Oyier Nyaruath of the University of Nairobi underscored the importance of a reading culture, citing Sweden as an example of a country that once prioritized digital media over books, only to later reinstate reading after recognizing a knowledge gap.

Zetech University Vice-Chancellor Professor Njenga Munene lauded such forums for fostering intellectual growth, noting that engagements with experts enrich academic discourse and sharpen students’ minds.