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priorities in the Language Plan of Action for Africa, including modernisation
that has bearing on the research whose output will pave the way for African
languages to enter cyberspace.
The draft plan of action for the Second Decade of Education for Africa (2006
to 2015) 28 produced by the Department of Human Resources, Science and
Technology of the African Union in June 2006 specifically states that:
Language is another area of concern in African education systems.
The preponderant use of ‘foreign’ languages as media for instruction
disadvantages learners and erects barriers between school and
community. It has been shown that learning outcomes are higher for
children who learn in their vernacular in the early years of school.
As correctly stated here the use of African languages as medium of instruction
can enhance learning and improve the leaner’s performance. This can put
African languages to the test and allow them to consolidate and systematize
terminology to express various scientific concepts. By doing so, addressing
one of the main concerns mentioned above. For this to be possible, the Second
Decade of Education for Africa calls for the revamping of the education
systems that would allow the effective use of African languages as a medium of
instruction. The efforts to place African languages in cyberspace should be part
and parcel of that process.
The Charter for African Cultural Renaissance was adopted in January 2006
during the Summit of the Heads of State and Government that took place
in Khartoum. In order to popularize the charter and urge the African Union
Member States to ratify it, the African Union Commission launched the
Campaign for African Cultural Renaissance (2010-2012). The launch of the
campaign coincided with the celebration of the centenary of birth of Kwame
Nkrumah, one of the founding fathers of the Organization of African Unity. In
part IV, Article 18 of the charter for African Cultural Renaissance 29
African States recognize the need to develop African languages in
order to ensure their cultural advancement, and acceleration of their
economic and social development. To this end, they should endeavour
to formulate and implement appropriate national language policies.
As was the case with the resolutions referred to above, the Charter for African
Cultural Renaissance also underlines the role African languages play in
propelling Africa to economic and social development and the need to adopt
28
Second Decade of Education for Africa (2006-2015), Draft Plan of Action for the Second Decade of
Education for Africa, June 2006, Department of Human Resources, Science and Technology, African Union
Commission, Page 11.
29
Charter for African Cultural Renaissance, African Union Commission, January 2006, page 9.
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