40 indigenous families still deprived of education

Literacy is a foundation to build a more sustainable future for all, but the 40 families of a remote Mro para in Ruma upazila here, never got a chance to be literate.

Rang Mi Mro, 45, father of three children, said he has been facing difficulties in his life as he has no education. "We have no school in our Nisi Para and it was impossible for us to go school by walking around thirty kilometres from here," he added.

"The situation has not changed even seventeen years after signing of the Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Accord, and our children are still facing the same difficulties that we faced. As a father, I urge the government, on the occasion of International Literacy Day today, to establish sufficient schools with hostels for our children," said Nisi Mro, karbari (chief) of the para.

Parau Mro, 80, of Nisi Para, said, "Education was a dream for us. Today also, we dream that our children will become educated one day, but there are no facilities in the area."

Moreover, there is no school in the village. The nearest one is about 30 km from the para, he added.