Speakers attending a function on the occasion of the International Day of the World’s Indigenous People here on Saturday, pressed for the need to develop mother tongue-based multilingual early childhood education for 1.4 million tribal children in the State.
It was viewed that mother tongue-based multilingual learning during early childhood gives a child adequate scope to understand subjects creating a better participation in classroom for them with better outcomes.
Attending the function organised by the Odisha Adivasi Manch (OAM) in association with the Campaign on Mother Tongue based Multi-lingual Early Childhood here, SC and ST Development Minister lal Bihari Himirika said that language is vital for one’s own identity and culture while mother tongue is the foundation of all other languages and identity of all human beings.
The OAM’s demand for mother tongue based Anganwadi centres and Arunima in tribal areas have been approved by the State Government, said OAM State Convenor Ido Mandal, adding that the OAM has demanded that the Anganwadi workers be appointed from the same tribal community and mini ICDS in tribal areas be the main ICDS centre.
lamenting over non-use of tribal language in competitive examinations and technical education, MlAs from various places including G Udaygiri, Rairangpur and Mayurbhanj viewed that the tribal youths would not get opportunity to work in top industries due to the same and underlined the need to conduct awareness camp in district and block levels for including the tribals in the mainstream.
They also highlighted several other problems pertaining to water and irrigation, education, transport and communication existing in the tribal-dominated areas.
Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Sudam Marandi and Transport Minister Ramesh Chandra Majhi shared that while some schemes meant for the tribal have been successful, several other schemes have witnessed failure.
The Ministers called for the concerted efforts by the Adivasi Sangh, NGOs and other voluntary organisations for effective implementation of the schemes. A total of 200 tribal leaders from 15 districts attended the event.