Girls, educational equity and mother tongue

Mother tongue teaching makes more inclusive schooling

By: Benson C
Published by: UNESCO Bangkok: Asia and Pacific Regional Bureau for Education , 2005
Via: Eldis

This paper argues that one of the principal mechanisms through which inequality is reproduced is language, specifically the language used as the medium of instruction. The paper illustrates how the learner’s mother tongue is vital for making schooling more inclusive for all disadvantaged groups, especially for girls and women. There are also strong indications that adopting a more appropriate school language makes a positive difference for girls, even more than for other disadvantaged learners. This paper reports on the connections between ethnic and linguistic background, girls’ school participation, and improving educational opportunities, and offers some strategies for policy makers, education advocates and practitioners.