MALAPPURAM: The Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSS) Malappuram district unit has embarked on a unique literacy drive for the tribal population in Karulai forest to teach them how to read and write in tribal languages using Malayalam script, for the first time in the state. The classes for the first selected batch of 25 Cholanaikkas will begin in October. The National Literacy Mission has prepared textbooks in languages of six more tribes - Paniya, Adiya, Mannan, Muthuvan, Kurumba and Kuduga.
“Beyond taking them to the world of letters, this is an effort to preserve and protect their cultural identities,” says Dr N.B. Suresh Kumar, director of its state resource centre (SRC). "Our experience with teaching them Malayalam has proved pointless as they have their languages and rich traditions. We prepared textbooks after scientific studies and field tests. The 25 lessons in these books include tribal rhymes, tales, basic mathematics and life experiences - all related to their life.”
The SRC has the expertise to provide them with some vocational courses in tribal languages. “The JSS has identified four instructors from these tribes trained them to take their fellows and elders to the world of letters,” says Mr V. Ummer Koya, director of the JSS unit. The daylong classes will be conducted at the tribal settlements inside the forest once a week.
