Odisha’s project ‘Samhati’ for tribal languages

Odisha’s project ‘Samhati’ for tribal languages

Part of: Prelims and GS II – Education 

Context The new National Education Policy lays emphasis on imparting teaching in mother tongue in primary classes. 

• Thus, Odisha has launched Samhati project for imparting its various tribal languages. 
• The project will help save endangered tribal languages.

About Odisha’s Samhati project

• According to the Odisha School Education Programme Authority (OSEPA), more than 302 textbooks and 2,500 supplementary reading materials including story books and pictures charts in 21 tribal languages have been developed.
• Under Samhati, all teachers of primary level would be provided functional knowledge of tribal languages. 
• Implemented by: The Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Research and Training Institute (SCSTRTI) and the Academy of Tribal Language and Culture (ATLC), Bhubaneswar 
• Of the 21 languages, Santhali — the only language which has been included in eighth schedule of Constitution — is taught in its own ol chiki script while rest of tribal languages have Odia scripts.

Do you know? 

• Odisha is home to 62 different tribal communities including 13 particularly vulnerable tribal groups (PVTGs), making it the State with the most diverse indigenous communities in the country.
• Of Odisha’s 21 tribal languages, Santhali — the only language which has been included in eighth schedule of Constitution — is taught in its own ol chiki script while rest of tribal languages have Odia scripts.