Despite the overwhelming presence of Kandha tribals in Gajapati district, who speak Kui dialect, a recent advertisement for language teachers did not invite application for Kui language teachers in the district, alleged Kui Sangh here.
The Odisha Primary Education Programme Authority Director’s office had published an advertisement for recruitment of language teachers for various districts in the State. While both the Kandha and Sabara tribals live in Gajapati district, the advertisement was published only for recruitment of 238 Saura language teachers. The Saura language is spoken by the Sabara tribals. On the other hand, the advertisement did not include recruitment of Kui language teachers, lamented Mohana block chairman Basanti Malick on behalf of the Sangh.
Sangha president Kabiraj Malick informed that 80 per cent Kandha tribals live in Mohana block, 30 per cent in R Udaygiri block and 45 per cent in Nuagarh. However, for the propagation of Kui language, the Government has not taken any step for recruitment of Kui language teachers in Gajapati, he rued. The Sangha, meanwhile, has apprised the Chief Minister, the Education Minister, the Tribal Welfare Minister, the OPEPA State Project Director and the Gajapati Collector the need to recruit Kui language teachers in the district. Former block chairman Prasant Malick, former Zilla Parishad chairman of Gajapati Purna Chandra Malick, tribal leader Ramakanta Malick and Sarapanchs of Merapalli, Gobindapur, Mohana, Pindiki and Malapada gram panchayats repeated the same demand.