It is crucial to stress the value of teaching indigenous languages and customs to the next generation of students in schools.
This was the message from iTaukei Affairs Minister Ifereimi Vasu, as chief guest at the International Mother Language Day celebrations in Suva yesterday.
Speaking in the iTaukei language, Mr Vasu said the ministry had noted that many Fijians were losing touch in speaking their mother language or dialects and this was directly linked to the rural to urban drift.
He encouraged the younger generation to place importance on their mother languages, dialects and to practise them daily.
Mr Vasu said the Government had also endorsed the “Denarau Declaration” during the education summit last year, further emphasising the idea of teaching indigenous language and its practices in schools.
He said one of the ministry’s strategies was to encourage people, particularly the iTaukei, to practise and safeguard the mother language to maintain their identity.
The three-day event is organised in partnership with the Fiji Arts Council.
The celebrations will end tomorrow.
