In a bid to encourage early education among children from Maharashtra’s backward tribal communities, the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) is set to introduce textbooks that would enable tribal students to take lessons in their colloquial dialects.
According to education authorities, the move purports to achieve the twin objectives of not only reducing the yawning chasm between the Marathi language and tribal community dialects but also help in the larger task in conserving these dialects from the heritage point of view.
The SCERT has accordingly identified ten such dialects across Maharashtra’s tribal zones and is in the process of drafting bilingual textbooks in both these dialects and in Marathi.
“We have identified dialects such as Warli, Pawri, Bhilori, Nahali, Gondi, Kolami, Pardhan, Korku and Mavchi from 16 districts which have strong tribal pockets and will be shortly drafting bilingual textbooks to help students in these areas,” said Govind Nandede, Director, SCERT.
According to him, the move may aid in reviving local dialects, many of which were treading a perilous path towards obscurity.
“Students from tribal belts often find it difficult to understand Marathi, which can discourage them from pursuing their studies further. Hence, the drafting of bilingual textbooks will enable teachers to use words from the tribal dialect while explaining lessons to students,” said Shivaji Pandhare, Joint Director, SCERT.
According to SCERT sources, there are over 800 tribal schools in 16 districts and there are plans to introduce bilingual textbooks in all of them.
“With SCERT spearheading the project, the books are assured of a certain quality and will help bridging the gap between Marathi and the tribal dialects,” said Shailaja Darade, who is associated with the project, adding that a committee was being formed to oversee the execution the programme and help in orienting teachers.
