Two day-long National seminar on "Basic Education in Mother Tongue for Indigenous Children" was held at Bangladesh Shishu Academy Lecture Theatre hall on 15-16 February, 2010. The seminar was jointly organized by CAMPE and partner organizations working with Multi Lingual Education (MLE).

Mr. Promode Mankin, Honorable State Minister, Ministry of Cultural Affairs graced the seminar as the Chief Guest in the 1st working session. The Honorable State Minister also inaugurated the display of MLE materials. Mr. ATM Mohiuddin Ahmed, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Primary and Mass Education (MoPME) and Professor Mostafa Kamal Uddin, Chairman, NCTB were present as Special Guests. Ms. Selina Hossain, Prominent Writer and Former Director of Bangla Academy presided over the inaugural session.
 

Dr. Md. Afsarul Ameen, Honorable Minister, Ministry of Primary and Mass Education attended as the Chief Guest in the Closing Session of the seminar. Ms. Saima Anwer, Deputy Country Director of Save the Children - UK was present as Special Guest. Ms. Rasheda K. Choudhury, Former Advisor, Caretaker Government of Bangladesh and Executive Director of CAMPE presided over the Closing Session of the seminar.

Dr. Afsarul Ameen thanked the NGOs for taking initiative to bring the issue of Multi Lingual Education to light. He added that Government is aware on the issue and will take initiative for ensuring basic education in mother tongue for indigenous children within a short period of time. He mentioned the commitment of government to achieve "Education for All" by 2014; and explained that it will only be possible if we ensure education in mother tongue for indigenous people. Mr. Promode Mankin said that, if access to education can be made easier for indigenous children, they can easily be integrated into the mainstream. He asked the non-government organizations and concerned stakeholders to help the government towards initiating and running MLE program.

Ms. Rasheda K. Choudhury cited with grief that it is needed to organize seminars for the right of education in mother tongue even in the month of language movement. She urged that, we can pay proper honor to Language Martyrs by ensuring basic education in Mother Tongue for indigenous children. She also recommended to advocate with the Government for taking the issue as a priority.

The keynote paper of the seminar was presented by Mr. Mathura Bikash Tripura, Executive Director, Zabarang Kallyan Samity, Khagrachhari. Professor Jogendra Nath Soren, Executive Director of ANNESHWAN and Mr. Edward Manna Mondal, Country Director of SIL Bangladesh were the key discussants. A colorful display of MLE materials produced by concerned organizations was also organized in this occasion. 12 organizations participated in the display in 12 separate decorated stalls.

ASHROI, BRAC, CIPRAD, Caritas, Gonoshasthaya Kendra, Save the Childran - UK, SIL - Bangladesh and UNDP presented their MLE model/practices and experiences in the seminar. Mr. Kazi Rafiqul Alam, Chairperson of CAMPE Council & President of Dhaka Ahsania Mission and Dr. Golam Mostafa, Member, Bangladesh ECD Network were the chairperson of 2 separate working sessions of the seminar.
 

A total of 200 participants including concerned Government officials, policy makers, educationists, researchers, education manager of deferent NGOs, civil society groups, women activists, journalists and leaders from adivasi groups attended the seminar. Speakers and participants underscored the need to provide basic education for indigenous children in their mother tongue. They called on the government to address the issue through formulating a strategic plan in this regard.

A set of recommendation was made in the seminar for dissemination of the idea and ensuring Multi Lingual Education for indigenous children in Bangladesh.

Some important recommendations are:

• Take initiative to enforce Government commitment regarding basic education in Mother Tongue according to the direction of Constitution and Education Policy.
   

• Establish Multi Lingual Education (MLE) Unit under concerned Ministry, Department including MoPME, NCTB, DPE to formulate appropriate curriculum and develop learning materials.
   

• Take initiative for preservation, utilization and promotion of adivasi languages through establishing Adivasi Academy under International Mother Language Institution.
   

• Conduct MLE Mapping for identifying Mother Language of adivasi communities, scripts, and produced/developed MLE materials and establish an archive in this regards.
   

• Develop MLE Framework including National Standard and Bridging Plan for implementation of the program.
   

• Establish a National Committee/forum on MLE under a national coalition NGO like Campaign for Popular Education (CAMPE).
   

• Establish a separate council for plain land indigenous peoples like CHT Regional Council.
   

• Expand activities, support and cooperation of donor agencies and UN bodies like UNDP, UNESCO, UNICEF to plain land adivasi communities for implementation of MLE program, specially ECCD and Pre-primary education in Mother Tongue of the indigenous children.