Literacy programme for Ethnic Minorities Utilizing Bilingual/Mother Tongue Approach

• Thematic framework: Education
• Geographical outreach: Regional
• Types of project: Capacity-building
  
  
  
• Beneficiary countries:
  - Thailand,
  - China
  - Cambodia,
  - Philippines
  - Nepal,
  - Indonesia
  - Lao PDR,
  - Malaysia,
  - India,
  - Afghanistan
  - Bangladesh,
  - Vietnam
  
  
• Main responsible:
  Ms. Darunee Riewpituk
  P.O. Box 967,
  Prakhanong Post Office
  Bangkok 10110
  Thailand

Summary of the activities
Under the project, countries in the region are being provided with technical assistance for piloting mother tongue-based literacy programmes and for developing a framework for transition from mother tongue to national language. Countries have documented the outcomes of national activities through carrying out action researches. Advocacy with policy makers and stakeholders are promoted through exhibition and discussion and dialogues. Mother Tongue based teaching learning materials and methodologies in various languages are being developed.

It is planned to organize a regional workshop on mother tongue literacy programme in Nepal in September 2008, involving twelve Asian countries (likely to include participants from Africa and Latin America) with main objectives to share and learn from regional experiences in:
• Innovative mother tongue-based literacy programmes
• Framework on transition programmes from mother tongue to national language
• materials development and teaching/learning methodologies

Main partners
UNESCO field offices in the region, national Committees, Ministry of Education (NFE departments), Literacy resource centres and APPEAL Resource and training Consortium (ARTC)