Indigenous rights activists submit memorandum demanding multi-lingual education for indigenous children

Indigenous rights activists submit memorandum demanding multi-lingual education for indigenous children

On 12 December 2010 delegation of indigenous rights activists submitted a memorandum demanding Multi-Lingual Education (MLE) for indigenous children and inclusion of indigenous issues in the primary curriculum policy to Mr. Abdul Awal Majumder, Secretary of the Primary and Mass Education Ministry of the Government of Bangladesh.

Headed by Professor Mesbah Kamal of Bangladesh Adivasi Odhikar Andolon, other members of the delegation of indigenous rights activists were Mr. Pallab Chakma of Kapaeeng Foundation and Mr. Brajendu Shekhar Chakma of Kabidang. Besides, Mr. Rabindranath Soren and Mr. Anil Marandi of Jatiyo Adivasi Porishod also signed at the memorandum. In the memorandum, the following demands were placed to the government-

• Introduce mother tongue-based-MLE in primary level in indigenous-inhabited areas in the country
• Ensure proper coordination of MLE activities of NGOs
• Undertake awareness building programme among indigenous and mainstream people on mother tongue based MLE
• Ensure preserve and practice of indigenous scripts
• Conduct research on indigenous languages.

On behalf of the delegation, Professor Mesbah Kamal explained the issues and challenges of indigenous children in primary level education. He also raised the arguments for introducing mother tongue based multilingual education for indigenous students in primary and pre-primary level. Referring National Education Policy and National Child Policy he also said, now government has the scope to work on this issue as it is clearly mentioned in both of the policies.

In his reply, secretary of Primary and Mass Education Mr. Awal said that present government is committed to work for the development of indigenous peoples. His ministry will do all possible for ensuring primary education of the indigenous children. This is a right time to knock as ministry is formulating curriculum policy in accordance with the new Education Policy, he added. He also requested the delegation to arrange a community workshop so that they could listen all issues concerned from the community. His ministry will support the workshop, he further added.

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courtesy: Kapaeeng foundation