CHT seeks Tripura's support for tribal language promotion

Agartala, Dec 7 (UNI) A tribal delegation of Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) in Bangladesh has sought Tripura government's support to introduce Kokborok, tribal dialect, in Bangladesh school curriculum.

Talking to UNI here today Bangladesh Tripuri Kalyan Foundation (BTKF) advisor in CHT Sagarika Roaza said a 12-member delegation, including social activists and intellectuals from tribal communities, were here for a week to gather experience of teaching procedures of tribal languages in different schools in Tripura.

She also informed that their government had agreed to introduce Kokborok in schools present in tribal dominated districts of southern Bangladesh form coming session.

''The delegation was here to see the initiatives and procedures for development of the language in Tripura. We found the teaching technique here very efficient and the method learning, script and curriculum of tribal languages were modern,'' Ms Roaza said adding that Bangladesh would introduce languages spoken by tribes at primary school level from 2008 academic year.

She also informed that about 6,00,000 tribals from 11 tribes spread over three districts of Khagrachari, Bandarban and Rangamati in CHT have languages, culture and traditions similar to northeastern tribal in India.

''We are providing support, guidance and sharing knowledge with the visiting delegation for improving method of teaching in tribal languages in Bangladesh,'' Tripura Tribal Welfare Minister Jitendra Chowdhury said.

UNI