By Emmanuel Mandella

Central Equatoria State Governor Emmanuel Adil Anthony has called for the integration of indigenous languages into school curricula across the state, warning that several local dialects risk extinction if urgent measures are not taken to preserve them.

The governor made the remarks during the opening of the first-ever Yawangara–Pojulu–Tijor Cultural Carnival, where he urged education stakeholders, cultural leaders, and policymakers to prioritizes mother-tongue learning as a foundation for identity, unity, and long-term nation-building.

The governor’s proposal comes amid growing concern that urbanization, displacement, and the dominance of English and Arabic in formal education are contributing to the decline of indigenous languages across South Sudan.

Local observers say many children in towns and urban centres can no longer speak their mother tongues fluently, a trend that risks weakening intergenerational knowledge transfer, traditional leadership structures, and customary law systems that rely heavily on local languages.

Adil warned that failure to act now would result in the permanent loss of cultural heritage.

“A nation that forgets its language forgets its soul. Education must not only produce workers; it must produce citizens who understand where they come from,” he said.

Education specialists have long argued that early learning in a child’s first language improves comprehension, literacy development, and overall academic performance.

By proposing the inclusion of local dialects in the curriculum, the state governor is aligning with international education models that promote mother-tongue instruction in early grades before transitioning to national and international languages.

Adil said the policy would not replace English, which remains the official language of instruction, but would complement it.

The governor also called on communities to document their languages through written materials, dictionaries, and teaching guides, stressing that cultural preservation must move beyond ceremonies and be institutionalized in schools.

He urged local intellectuals, teachers, and elders to work together to develop teaching content that reflects indigenous knowledge systems, oral traditions, and local history.

“Culture should not live only in songs and dances; it must live in our classrooms, our books, and our daily learning,” Adil said.

Community leaders attending the carnival welcomed the proposal, describing it as a timely intervention to protect endangered dialects and strengthen social cohesion among younger generations.

The Chairman of the Yawangara–Pojulu–Tijor Community said the initiative would help children grow up with a stronger sense of belonging and respect for their heritage.

Observers say the governor’s remarks reflect a broader national debate on how South Sudan can modernize its education system while preserving its diverse cultural identities.

With more than 60 ethnic groups and dozens of languages, the country faces the challenge of building a unified national identity without erasing local traditions.

Adil emphasized that cultural diversity should be seen as a strength rather than a barrier.

In a call for policy action, the governor called on the State Ministry of Education to begin consultations with cultural institutions and curriculum developers to explore practical ways of introducing indigenous languages into early childhood and primary education.

He also encouraged other states to adopt similar measures, warning that language extinction is a national issue that requires coordinated action.

The proposal is expected to spark further discussion among education authorities, cultural organizations, and development partners on how to balance curriculum reforms with resource constraints, teacher training needs, and the production of learning materials in multiple local languages.

For many attendees at the carnival, however, the message was clear: preserving language is not just about culture, it is about securing the future of South Sudan’s identity.