Crucial role of mother tongue education

Cultural sanctuaries: SJK(T) Taman Sentosa, a vernacular school in Klang, Selangor. In Malaysia, vernacular schools have played an ­essential role in preserving the linguistic and cultural heritage of the Tamil and Chinese communities.

TODAY marks the 25th anniversary of International Mother Language or Mother Tongue Day, a global initiative dedicated to celebrating linguistic diversity and the right to education in one’s first language.

As we commemorate this silver jubilee, it is an opportune moment to reflect on the status of vernacular languages in Malaysia and their role in shaping education, cultural preservation and national identity.