Kinyarwanda, the first language of nearly the entire Rwandan population, is not as highly regarded in the labour market as English and French. Although 54 percent of Rwandan residents aged 15 and over are literate in Kinyarwanda, employers still prioritise foreign languages in job interviews, according to the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR).

While learning foreign languages is essential for communication with foreigners, stakeholders argue that Kinyarwanda should be prioritised above all else.

ALSO READ: Kinyarwanda’s hope for survival lies in our tongues

Amb. Robert Masozera, the Director General of Rwanda Cultural Heritage Academy (RCHA), acknowledged that employers are the main culprits in neglecting Kinyarwanda, and not government policies or political reasons.

He emphasised that the government has not imposed any regulations that prevent people from using their language during employment and also stressed that Rwandans should learn foreign languages for reliable communication with foreigners, but Kinyarwanda should take precedence over other languages.

ALSO READ: Institutions urged to promote Kinyarwanda in service delivery

Kinyarwanda teachers interviewed by The New Times stated that the mother tongue has been undervalued in various sectors, resulting in the neglect of it by some students. They argued that the widespread belief that illiteracy in foreign languages reflects a lack of intelligence has contributed to the decline of Kinyarwanda. Moreover, Kinyarwanda should be prioritised in job exams and schools since teaching literature without textbooks or dictionaries is challenging.

NISR recently reported that the literacy pattern in the country is the same as in the provinces, except for the City of Kigali. The language literacy rate in the four official languages (Kinyarwanda, English, French, and Swahili) is higher in Kigali than in other provinces.

Experts further argue that Kinyarwanda should be highly valued and used in various services, as the national anthem emphasises "our language unites us." Since 2003, the official languages in Rwanda have been Kinyarwanda, French, and English, with Kiswahili established as an official language in 2017.