Mother tongue provides basis for learning another language

BHUBANESWAR: “Mother tongue is the foundation of all languages and it provides basis for learning another language,” said experts at a meeting organised here by the Campaign on Mother Tongue based Early Childhood Education on the occasion of the International Mother Language Day on February 21. 

Attending the meeting community facilitator and activist Jayanti Munda said pre-school education in mother tongue is necessary for a child for his mental and emotional growth. 

Another activist and PREM program manager Sudhir Digal discussed about the need of mother tongue based multi lingual early childhood education in the tribal area of the State and the need of preservation of a mother tongue for the future generation. 

Digal said Odisha is the first State for introducing mother tongue based education in pre-schools and primary schools. Last year, the State Government had launched Anganwadi teachers’ guide book ‘New Arunima’ in 10 tribal languages to teach the tribal kids. “The State Government should implement it in a proper manner so that tribal children can get benefit,” he added. 

The meeting was organised to highlight the need of mother tongue based pre-school education for 1.4 million tribal children of the State. A documentary film titled ‘Step by Step’ was screened in the meeting.

Among others, linguist and teacher Budhia Singh and communication officer of the campaign Nandini Mundary were present.