Tribal pre-schoolers to start learning in own language

Bhubaneswar: Tribal pre-schoolers enrolled in anganwadi centres will start learning in their own language and not in Odia. Deputy CM Pravati Parida on Tuesday launched ‘Aame Padhibaa Aama Bhasare’, under which the medium of instruction for foundational learning for tribal children in the age group of 3 to 6 at anganwadi centres will be their mother tongue.The deputy chief minister said this is aligned with the recommendations of the National Education Policy-2020, which emphasises the importance of instruction in mother tongue or local language at the foundational stage. This state sector scheme aims to strengthen early learning outcomes among tribal children through mother tongue-based education in 21 tribal languages of Odisha, she added.The project will be piloted this year in six tribal districts — Keonjhar, Kandhamal, Rayagada, Gajapati, Malkangiri and Nabarangpur.

In subsequent years, it will be extended to other districts with a significant ST population that speaks 21 tribal languages. In the first year, the initiative will focus on 6 tribal languages, namely Munda, Kui, Gondi, Saura, Kuvi and Koya.Anganwadi workers will be provided training in the regional language, which will be facilitated by the department, for effective implementation. It will be integrated with Nua Arunima, the state’s preschool curriculum, which has been translated into 21 tribal languages, ensuring alignment with existing Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) frameworks.

“Our initiative focuses on providing culturally responsive, linguistically relevant, and developmentally appropriate learning opportunities for children enrolled in anganwadi centres,” said Parida, who is also the women and child development minister. The project will be implemented in collaboration with Piramal Foundation and Pratham Education Foundation during the first year as a pilot initiative.So far, mother-tongue-based learning was limited to govt schools.