The 14th edition of the International Mother Tongues Day was celebrated in Yaounde on February 25, 2014.

Experimental teaching of local languages or mother tongues will begin in schools in the country this year. The revelation was made yesterday, February 25, 2014, in Yaounde during the celebration of the 14th edition of the International Day of Mother Tongues.

The theme for this year was "Local languages and the sciences." Speaking at the occasion, the Minister of Secondary Education, Youssouf Hadidja Alim, said linguistic and cultural diversities were universal values which strengthen unity and cohesion in societies. She said mother tongues were essential for children's education.

The Minister restated government's determination to promote local languages as one of the ways of helping to develop children. While noting the utility of all local languages, she called on parents to help their kids by teaching them their mother tongue at home.

The particularity of this year's celebration was that UNESCO and the International Organisation of the Francophonie, OIF, commemorated the event as well as launched the experimental teaching of local languages in schools. Posters will be produced with Cameroon's coat of arms and the logos of OIF and UNESCO, while the theme will be translated into mother tongues.

School children from Yaoundé graced the event with songs, poems and sketches in local languages in Cameroon. Present at the occasion were representatives of the Centre Region, the international community, school children and guests.