Increasing the availability of culturally-responsive and context-relevant multilingual education materials in mother tongue languages for primary schools in Bandarban District, Bangladesh
Project Name
Let the Children Read in Their Own Language and Culture
Location Implemented
Bangladesh
Competition Entered
Grant Competition 2011
Reading Skill Targeted
Pre-Reading
Status
Winner
The Challenge
Chittagong Hill Tracts is home to eleven indigenous communities, each having their own distinct culture, religion and language. The conventional education system of Bangladesh does not meet the learning needs of ethnic children. A baseline survey revealed that less than 1% of the surveyed ethnic students read at their grade level, no multilingual education materials were available at or had been developed for these schools, and 95% of the teachers were unaware of multilingual education methods.
The Big Idea
This project increased the availability and use of multilingual education materials for children in Bandarban District, Chittagong Hill. The reading materials are linked to community and culture; based on familiar stories, places and activities; in mother tongue languages; and support the national curriculum and policy. The project also developed teaching manuals and lesson plans, trained teachers to create engaging reading environments, and institutionalized school management and parent committees.
Results
37,500 children in 125 primary schools
Blogs and Media
Research and Resources
ECo-Development / Charles Aldric Halder
Eco-Development share their ACR GCD-funded innovation to provide culturally appropriate reading materials to children in 125 primary schools in Bangladesh.
Connect with the Innovator
Website
http://ecodevelopment.org/Organization Type
Non Profit
Headquarters
Bandarban Hill District, Bangladesh
