Education and the Fight for Mother Tongue
Why Mother Tongue-Based Multilingual Education (MLE) is essential for reducing dropout rates and preserving the Chakma language and script for future generations.
Education is a fundamental right, yet for decades, children in the Chittagong Hill Tracts faced a significant hurdle: the language barrier. Entering school often meant stepping into a world where the language of instruction was foreign to them, leading to high dropout rates in early primary years.
Recognizing this crisis, the Chakma Circle Administration strongly advocates for Mother Tongue-Based Multilingual Education (MLE). The goal is simple: let children learn in their mother tongue, Changma Kodha, during their formative years.
Efforts are underway to not only teach the language but also revive the Chakma Script. By integrating traditional language learning with the national curriculum, we ensure that the next generation is both globally competent and culturally rooted. This initiative is vital for the survival of the Chakma identity in the 21st century.