RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta – Ahead of International Mother Language Day, celebrated annually on February 21, the Head of the Language Development and Guidance Agency, Hafidz Muksin, launched the 2026 International Mother Language Day Talk online on Wednesday, 18 February 2026. This year's commemoration reminds us that no more students fail to achieve their dreams simply due to language barriers.

Hafidz emphasized the vital role of mother tongues in education. He emphasized that using mother tongues or regional languages as the medium of instruction in early grades is a key strategy for the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education. This approach bridges students' understanding before they transition fully to the Indonesian language.

“By using regional languages as a teaching medium, especially in early grades, we can improve students' learning comprehension. Through mother tongues, it is easier for them to understand the materials presented by their teachers,” he said.

This statement aligns with the perspective of Gunawan Zakki, the National Professional Officer for Education at UNESCO. Zakki presented UNESCO data that indicate children often experience a knowledge gap when they start school because the language used in the classroom differs significantly from the language spoken at home.

He stated, “Globally, UNESCO has collected data showing that while many students are taught by their parents to speak their mother tongues at home, they experience a gap in acquiring knowledge upon entering formal institutions. This is due to a lack of understanding of the language of instruction, especially in early childhood education.”

In addition to the language gap, Zakki expressed global concerns regarding the large number of mother tongues and regional languages that are now threatened with extinction. This phenomenon is why UNESCO is focusing this year on positioning young people as the key agents in determining the future of multilingual education.

The theme of the 2026 talk is “The Role of Young People in Shaping the Future of Multilingual Education,” which aligns with the global theme launched by UNESCO. The main focus of this event is to discuss the strategic role of mother tongues, not only as a means of communication but also within the contexts of education and legal protection.