Mother Tongue-based Literacy Programmes: Case Studies of Good ...

The actual per book cost of the primers comes to Rs. 12 (Indian Rupee), based on a print-run of 5,000 ormore copies. For project purposes only, 1,000 copies each were printed for primers I, II and III. This madethe cost per primer Rs. 25 (Indian Rupee).Impact of the ProjectImpact on Education PolicySince this project was begun, mother tongue education has received its due recognition within nationaleducation policy. This has been reflected in a revised curriculum framework at the national level.Impact on Learner ParticipationMost of the learners were women. The whole processof learning was new to them. They were eager to learn.The fact that they could select their own time to studywith people with whom they were familiar helped. Thevolunteer teachers reported a sense of pride in doingsomething for the community. The learners were ableto identify themselves with the project.There are many examples of learners valuing the Rabhalanguage they received. An interesting story is that ofDipti Rabha. Dipti belonged to a Pati Rabha group thathas adopted Assamese as its mother tongue. The PatiRabhas have forgotten the Rabha language. However,Dipti was married to a man from a family who are Rabhalanguage speakers. So, in order to communicate withher family and community, she joined a Rabha literacyclass. Today she is a fluent Rabha language speaker.© State Resource Centre AssamAnother learner, Bharati Rabha, who is about 35 yearsold, says, “All my life I wanted to read and write in mymother tongue. I could not speak the language, but Ican read and write, and this makes me proud.”The volunteer teachers (VIs) also feel proud to beable to do something for the community. Arati BalaRabha says, “It was a pleasure to teach my group of10 learners because of their interest and enthusiasm. © State Resource Centre AssamI used to take the class in the afternoon after the dailyclasses were done, and often found that they were waiting for me before time, after taking care of alltheir work.” To which, a learner, Tulani Rabha replied, “My husband is not keen on my coming to attendclasses, as it upsets the household routine at times. But he cannot stop me. I managed to have my wayand attend classes regularly.”[ 103 ]