Speakers in a discussion at Khagrachhari yesterday said unavailability of primary education through their mother languages acts as a barrier for indigenous children's schooling in Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT).

At the discussion marking the inauguration of a two-day long regional workshop, they also identified other reasons including poverty, lack of awareness, communication problem in remote areas and shortage of teachers as barrier to ensuring quality primary education in those areas.

National Primary Education Academy organised the workshop at Sadar upazila auditorium in the town to discuss ways to ensure compulsory and quality primary education in Khagrachhari hill district.

Children cannot be made attracted to learning if the mother tongue is not used at the initial stage, speakers said at the discussion.

Lack of teachers who can instruct in the mother language is responsible for large-scale dropouts of indigenous children at the primary level.

After gaining literacy through the mother tongue, the indigenous students can learn Bangla, English or any other language as per requirement for their practical life later, they said.

Primary education is the foundation of enlightened life, they said, adding that enjoyable, friendly, cooperative and smooth teaching environment is needed to check dropout and ensure quality education at primary as well as higher levels.

Development of infrastructure at all primary schools and ensuring the attendance of both teachers and students is required for this purpose, they said.

Director General of National Primary Education Academy Mohammad Elias Ali was present as chief guest at the function presided over by Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Shahadat Hossen.