Indigenous kids get books in mother language

As many as 12,381 pre-primary students from Chakma, Marma and Tripura communities in the hill district got free textbooks written in their mother languages on the New Year yesterday, thanks to the first ever step by the authorities. 

Earlier National Curriculum and Textbook Board took the initiative to publish textbooks in indigenous languages, following a government decision to facilitate learning of ethnic minority children in their own languages.

"This year, 12,381 books have been distributed among the learners of Chakma, Marma and Tripura communities in the district. Gradually all the indigenous students will get mother tongue-based schooling," said Mofizul Islam, assistant education officer, Rangamati.

Appreciating the government initiative, Suman Chakma, a guardian, said, "Schooling with own alphabet and language will help our kids to learn with ease."

“We hope that all the indigenous learners will get textbooks in their own language from next year," said Brisho Ketu Chakma, chairman of Rangamati hill district council.