Bhubaneswar: A two-day state level workshop, “Reading and Creative Language Development Efforts,” focussed on improving education levels in Odisha’s tribal and marginalized communities concluded today in Bhubaneswar.

More than 100 people including representatives from the Government of Odisha, School Management Committees, local NGOs, international development groups working for improved education of marginalised groups, corporate partners, teachers and research organizations participated in the event. The workshop was organized by non-profit Agragamee and READ Alliance, a consortium of education partners supported by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and Center for Knowledge Societies (CKS).

At the workshop, district-level officials shared their experiences and strategies that helped them develop reading and language skills among children from tribal and marginalised communities. On the second day of the workshop, participants discussed issues related to instruction in the mother tongue, training teachers, and the need for a print-rich environment for first generation learners. The discussions also focused around expanding the best practices and defining the next steps to improve education.

Addressing the participants, Balaka Dey, Education Program Management Specialist at USAID/India, emphasized the importance of quality education for all students and added, “It can be a challenge for teachers to address the individual needs of students from so many different backgrounds in one classroom. That’s why we have to learn from the successful programs highlighted today. These programs find a way to include all children equally, regardless of different linguistic or cultural backgrounds.”

Speaking on the key outcomes of the event, Mrs. Ranjana Chopra, Secretary, School and Mass Education, Government of Odisha said, “quote to be added after the event.”