Primary education had so far remained out of bounds to tribespeople settled at Alampetty inside the Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary owing to remoteness of the location and the daily struggles to eke out a living.
But, not any more. They have been initiated into the world of letters through Aksharavelicham, a project of the Forest Department to impart reading and writing classes without any age restriction. Thus, Chinnan, aged 75, is also a student at the Akshravelicham classroom.
It is over one month since the project began in the settlement and 35 people have so far enrolled for the classes. “They attend the lessons at 6 p.m. where they are initiated into the learning process by those among them who have got basic education,” said wildlife assistant warden P.M. Prabhu.
Great idea
Many now know to write their names, he said adding that the aim was to make them learn reading and writing.
“If found successful, the Akshravelicham project would be extended to all 11 tribal settlements in the sanctuary,” he said.
The idea was mooted by beat forest officer Sureshkumar.
The tribespeople themselves came forward to learn.
Mr. Chinnan says his dream is to read books and understand official communications. The remote forest settlements in the sanctuary have already been equipped with libraries.
They are also meeting places for senior persons.
Mr. Prabhu said the class timings were fixed by members of the settlement who were free in the evenings after the daily work.
He said illiteracy was a main problem that resulted in exploitation of the tribespeople.
Many of the members of the Eco Development Committees (EDCs) were illiterate and did not know to write their names, he added.
Anil, who led the free Public Service Commission coaching in the settlements, is in charge of the Akshravelicham classroom.
Like the EDCs, it is a project to be taken up by the tribespeople themselves and the Forest Department will provide the support, Mr. Prabhu added.
