Four upazilas of Dinajpur district – Hakimpur (Hili), Birampur, Nawabganj and Ghoraghat – are home to over 100,000 people of various small ethnic groups and communities. However, these indigenous groups are facing an identity crisis as their languages and cultures are on the verge of extinction.
Ethnic languages are in danger because of their lack of use in primary or other education. Ethnic people do not have the chance to use their mother languages frequently in schools, colleges and universities. Moreover, none of these indigenous languages are included in academic curricula, closing the scope for them to continue studying their mother tongue.
That is why people concerned of the small ethnic groups have demanded the publication of textbooks in their native languages, and also for appointing native teachers in educational institutions.
Primary students from these four upazilas said they used their mother tongue only while talking to family members and relatives at home and in their neighborhoods. But as soon they go to school, they face difficulties. They are required to use Bangla in school for reading, writing, speaking and other academic purposes.
It is hard for these young children to study in a second language, and it would be very helpful if they got to do this in their vernacular languages, they said.
If they had textbooks in their mother languages, they said they would have more motivation to study, and all the children of their communities would be encouraged to go to school.
Indigenous community leaders Mekael Tudu and Korabin Hembram said: “Many children of the ethnic groups are currently studying in schools and colleges. However, they do not have the option to do schoolwork in their mother languages. That is why it is important to formulate textbooks and provide special teachers for indigenous children, in the pre-primary level at least.”
“This initiative will encourage children to stay in school and continue studying at higher levels. Moreover, apart from ensuring primary education, the government should also ensure scholarships, grant facilities and hostels to ethnic minority students seeking higher education,” the leaders said.
Hakimpur Upazila Indigenous Federation Chairman Rup Lal Tirki said in the Dinajpur 6 constituency encompassing those four upazilas, more than 100,000 people of six to seven ethnic communities are living in the area, including Urao, Santal, Mahali, Mahato and Muchi.
Many children of these communities have been admitted to local primary schools, but they do not have a good system of education for these kids, he said. Many children have quit primary education after being discouraged by the lack of textbooks in their native languages.
Primary students from these upazilas are facing difficulties as they are required to use Bangla in school for reading, writing, speaking and other academic purposes | Dhaka Tribune
“This situation is a threat for our cultural identities as our languages are becoming gradually extinct. Our offspring are leaving their own cultures and languages behind to survive under the changed circumstances,” he said.
Rup Lal further said: “We are urging the government to formulate textbooks in native languages for the children of primary education and provide native teachers for them.”
Nawabganj Upazila Assistant Education Officer Waheduzzaman Sarker said: “There are 149 primary schools in this upazila, and around 1,050 indigenous children are currently studying here.”
“None of these schools offer special textbooks for ethnic minority students. However, various research and planning are underway to create textbooks for them with their respective native languages in the near future,” he added.