February 21 is observed every year worldwide as International Mother Language Day. This day reminds people to value their native languages, keep their culture, traditions, and historical heritage alive, and make efforts to preserve their languages.
In Afghanistan, Pashto and Dari are widely used as national languages, and in most regions, educational curricula and learning materials are based on these two languages.
Meanwhile, in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where the majority of the population is Pashtun, the educational curriculum is primarily offered in English and Urdu, limiting opportunities for the younger generation to develop and use their native language.
Linguists say that prioritizing foreign languages over native ones harms local culture and traditions and creates challenges for the preservation of the native language among the youth.
Linguists and cultural activists emphasize that the development of mother languages should be ensured across educational curricula, media, and digital content, so that national languages remain alive across generations and preserve their cultural identity.
