Tribal language books introduced to check dropouts in Odisha

Koraput: A set of seven story books in tribal languages with Odia translation have been introduced in some primary schools in Koraput district in a bid to check the dropout rate among tribal students. Introduction of books in Kuvi, Gadaba and Paraja languages with Odia translation in a few schools in district's Pottangi block is aimed at arresting dropout rate among tribal students and promote multilingual method of teaching at primary level, officials said.

"Most of the tribal students at primary school level face difficulty in understanding Odia and drop out," said Sanjit Patnaik, secretary of a voluntary organisation which has prepared the books in association with NEG-Fire, a Delhi-based organisation. The books consist of pictorial presentation of tribal folklore with Odia translation so that the teachers could easily converse with the students.

"Earlier, we had prepared word books in tribal languages with Odia translation and introduced them in 34 primary schools in Pottangi block. The result was very encouraging. The word books helped the tribal children learn fast," said Patnaik, secretary of voluntary agency SOVA.

Officials expressed the view that the tribal students should get their education in their own language as unlike other children, they grew up in the lap of nature. "We have introduced multi-lingual method of teaching in at least three residential schools for SC and ST students. We plan to introduce it in other schools, which have around 70 to 90 per cent monolingual tribal students," said District Welfare Officer (Koraput) Trinath Rao.