Ms. Helen Pinnock - Save the Children, UK second statement
Thank you very much, Madam Chair.
I would like to ask that the recommendations on language separate
between language revitalisation and the use of minority language in
education for children who are surrounded by minority language and who
use minority language as their first language. For this latter, very large
group of children the global research is very, very clear that mother-tongue
based multi-lingual education is essential for children to learn effectively
and including to learn the dominant language effectively. So it is incorrect
for recommendation 50 to offer mother-tongue as a subject as a valid
alternative to instruction through the medium of the mother tongue. I
would suggest that this is changed; and that section 7 contain a clear
recommendation hat states must work towards delivering at least pre- and
primary curriculum through the medium of the mother tongue with gradual
introduction of second language for children who use minority languages a
first language. This requires also section 6 to request for minority script
development and literacy for adults and children and for section 7, sorry
section 5 to provide for teacher training in mother-tongue based
multilingual education in these settings.
Thank you.