Valoración de la lengua Kichwa como elemento de identidad cultural en los niños de básica media del CECIB Pedro Montero, comunidad Santa Teresita, Guamote – Chimborazo, agosto – diciembre del 2025

Abstract

This research focuses on the value of the Kichwa language as an element of cultural identity among middle school students at the CECIB "Pedro Montero" school, located in the Santa Teresita community, Guamote canton, Chimborazo province. The Kichwa language, as an intangible cultural heritage of Indigenous peoples, faces a process of progressive displacement in the face of Spanish, especially among younger generations, who in many cases have stopped using it in their daily communication. The study analyzes the level of use and knowledge of Kichwa in the children's daily interactions within the school setting. The methodology employed combines a quantitative and qualitative approach. A survey was administered to 23 students in grades five, six, and seven, and semi-structured interviews were conducted with three key members of the school community: the principal, a classroom teacher, and the student counselor. The results show that the students exhibit passive bilingualism, where comprehension far surpasses oral production. While most children understand Kichwa when elders speak to them, only a minority speak it fluently, and their primary interlocutors are their grandparents, reflecting a breakdown in intergenerational transmission. Based on these findings, a prototype online educational game called "Yachashun" was designed. The research concludes that, although children deeply value Kichwa as part of their identity, they face significant barriers to its active use. Therefore, schools must strengthen innovative strategies that connect with the interests of new generations.