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

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As a consequence, literacy rates among indigenous communities remain very low. It is worth mentioningthat a specific study on the status <strong>of</strong> literacy among tribal people has yet to be done. However, accordingto a survey in 1997 conducted by the Oraon Youth Formation Programme, the literacy rate is at itshighest in Gaibandha (28.2%), followed by Thakurgaon (26.6%), Rangpur (18.1%), Joypurhat (17.7%),Dinajpur (17.6%), Shirajgonj (14.1%), Natore (11.6%), Chapai Nowabgonj (11.3%), Noagaon (7.7%),Rajshahi (5.6%), Bogra (6.2%) and Panchagar (5.2%). (Based on the findings <strong>of</strong> the Education Programme<strong>of</strong> Oraon Community as reported by Dr. Jalil on 25 July 2003. ).Strategies and Implementation ProcessTo address the problem <strong>of</strong> low literacy among theOraon, in October 2002 the non-governmentalorganization ASRHAI launched the project,“Action Research for Developing Curriculum andEducational Materials for the Oraon Communitiesin the Northwest Part <strong>of</strong> Bangladesh,” or ActionResearch Project (ARP) in short, with direct supportfrom UNESCO Bangkok. The purpose <strong>of</strong> the projectwas to develop mother tongue-<strong>based</strong> educationmaterials for the Oraon community.Following an intensive survey, the research teamselected Agholpur Oroan village under GodagariUpazila for the location <strong>of</strong> the project. The teamset up a laboratory school for the Oraon childrento conduct action research and to develop an MTliteracy programme in one <strong>of</strong> the Oran languagescalled Sadri.The Oraon community <strong>of</strong> northwest Bangladesh isthe second largest tribal community living on theplains <strong>of</strong> Bangladesh in a remote and rural area, Oraon people are found in the districts <strong>of</strong> Panchagar,Thakurgaon, Dinajpur, Rangpur, Joyopurhat, Noagon, Rajshahi, Chapainwabgonj, Natore, Sirajgonj,Gaibandha, Bogura in the Northwest and in Gazipur, Habigonj and Moulavibazar in the East. The density<strong>of</strong> Oraon people is also considerable in Rajshahi and Naogaon districts. Godagari is a densely-populatedsub-district <strong>of</strong> Rajshahi.Population <strong>of</strong> Godagari is 217,811, <strong>of</strong> which 50.88 percent is male and 49.12 percent is female. Religiousaffiliation <strong>of</strong> the population includes Muslims (86.55%), Hindus (8.05%), Christians (1.93%) and others(3.47%). Those <strong>of</strong> different ethnicities, including the Santals, account for 3,749 families. Average literacyis 27.6 percent, (male 32.3% and female 22.6%). [A.K.M Kaisaruzzaman].[ 32 ]

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