Special campaign to teach Rakhine children their mother tongue

Special campaign in Kalapara to teach Rakhine children their mother tongue.

Patuakhali: Finally, an administrative initiative has been taken to practice the mother tongue of the indigenous Rakhine community on the southern coast of the country. The upazila administration led by Kalapara UNO Kausar Hamid took this great initiative. The campaign was officially inaugurated on Monday afternoon, June 1, 2026, at the Srimangal Buddhist Monastery and Amkhola Rakhine Village in the upazila. The campaign will continue in 8 Rakhine villages of the upazila. During this time, Rakhine children were provided with alphabet books, paper, and pencils in their own mother tongue.

Kalapara UNO Kausar Hamid officially inaugurated this campaign to practice the mother tongue of Rakhine children. At this time, CPP Assistant Director Md. Asaduzzaman Khan, Bangladesh Indigenous Forum Barisal Divisional Organizing Secretary and Central Committee Member Rakhine Mongmy and other Rakhine leaders were present.

Sources said that the tourist cities of Kuakata, Kalapara, Khepupara on the southern coast of the country are now known all over the world for the names of the leaders of the Rakhine community. The religious places of worship of the Rakhine community, Rakhine villages, and Rakhine market have now become attractive to tourists. However, many of the children of this community can speak their own mother tongue but cannot read or write. For them, the Kalapara Upazila Administration has taken this special initiative to learn their mother tongue. A volunteer in each Rakhine village will cooperate in this initiative. And the entire campaign for practicing the mother tongue of Rakhine children will be looked after by the elders of the Rakhine community and other dignitaries.

UNO Kausar Hamid said that a volunteer from each Rakhine village will work as an assistant in this work. The village elders will take care of this campaign. Under this campaign, at least 80-90 Rakhine children will get the opportunity to learn the alphabet of their mother tongue.

Bangladesh Adivasi Forum Barisal Divisional Organizing Secretary and Central Committee Member Rakhine Mongmya said that even though it is a short-term initiative, a large number of Rakhine children are getting the opportunity to learn the alphabet of their mother tongue. They will also get the opportunity to write. He expressed his gratitude for this and hoped that it would continue in the long term. - Gofran Palash