Union Minister for Education, Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Dharmendra Pradhan, and Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs, Nirmala Sitharaman, have launched school textbooks in Kuwi and Desia languages of Odisha.
The launch marks a collaborative effort with Central University of Odisha, Koraput, Department of Posts, and National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), an official release said.
“Odisha has over 62 tribes covering 23% of total population of state, so, it becomes necessary to teach students with help of pictures, stories and songs based on their local nature and culture to improve their speaking skill, learning outcome and cognitive development,” Pradhan said.
In this regard, NCERT in collaboration with Central University of Odisha, has prepared two books: the “Kuwi Primer” and “Desia Primer”, for those children, who speak Kuwi and Desia tribal languages in the undivided Koraput district of Odisha, he informed.
The minister said that these two primers will not only shape a strong educational foundation of those children but also preserve and foster the cultural, linguistic heritage and identity of tribal community of Odisha.
The event also witnessed the special cover release on behalf of the Department of Posts, Ministry of Communications, Government of India.