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

Networking with Other OrganizationsASHRAI has established relationships with the governmental and non-governmental organizationsmentioned below in order to mobilize resources for capacity-building of ARP staff and promoteawareness/establish support for MT literacy programming in the country.Name of the OrganizationSIL BangladeshSupport ReceivedTraining on MLE capacity-building for ARP teachers, research staff andcommunity membersTilottoma Voluntary OrganizationSave the Children AustraliaCAMPE (Campaign for PopularEducation)Oraon FoundationTraining on reproductive health for ARP teachersTraining on child rights programming for ARP teachers and research staffTraining on education programme management and experience sharingfor teachers and research staffActive participation by the members for developing curriculum andeducation materials in SadriRegional Workshop on MLEVery recently, on 19 August 2006, ASHRAI organized a regional-level workshop for creating awarenessabout MLE among the tribal communities, civil society, government officers and NGOs working foreducation. It was largely attended by the Adivasi people and organizations from different districts ofRajshahi. Among the notable participants were the Deputy Director, Social Welfare Department; DistrictEducation Officer; Upa-zila Education Officer; a professor of Rajshahi University; and directors of NGOs.Participating NGOs expressed the desire to work together for developing and strengthening the effortsundertaken by the different organizations working in MT literacy programming. It is, thus, expected thatNGOs will come closer and uphold the cause of MT education for the Adivasis in the near future.Cost of Materials ProductionASHRAI’s approach for researching and developing education materials in Sadri was to mobilize andinsure participation of the Oraon communities. As a result, maximum participation from the communitypeople was possible and insured. The ARP involved community people in every event/activity as muchas possible. This effort to include the Oraon people was much appreciated by the community members,qand also helped to minimize the cost of materials production. The expense for printing the threeprimers (Hamar Boi Part-3, Poribesh Boi Part-3 & Charu-Karu Part-3) that were developed for Grade 3 in2006 was Tk. 86,718.00, based on a print-run of 40 copies each. Hence, per book printing cost was Tk.723.00 (US$10.63). However, this amount could be reduced with larger print-runs.Impact of the ProjectImpact on Education PolicyUntil 2002, when UNESCO initiated MLE programming through ASHRAI, no government policy norprivate organization addressed mother tongue-based education. The ARP project, together with anational seminar cum workshop that was organized in 2005 by UNESCO, UNICEF and SIL Bangladesh,have finally positively influenced policy makers and planners within both private national andinternational organizations. As a result, organizations are coming forward and providing support fordeveloping languages for ethnic minorities. Gonshashtya Kendra (GK) has been working for the Marma,[ 42 ]