KOCHI: Aryan Raja Mannan, the tribal ‘king’ of Kozhimala in Idukki district, and his tribal subjects are venturing into the world of English letters. The Infant Jesus school in Kattappana has started a new education programme named ‘village school’ in which tribals in Kozhimala will be provided English classes every weekend.“The official inauguration of the programme was on Monday. Our aim is to provide education to people in Kozhimala and who mostly belong to Mannan tribe. The king welcomed our proposal and himself wanted to learn English. “He along with other tribal members will be given English classes every Saturday. The King and other members of the tribe are very excited to learn English,” Jojo Abraham, Infant Jesus School principal, said. The Mannan tribe is one of the primitive tribes in Idukki. The tribe still follows the traditional kingship and depended on the forest for livelihood.“We have named it ‘village school’ in which basic education, English, instrumental music and vocational courses will be taught. Seminars and counselling will be part of the programme. “At present, 50 tribal students, including the king, will be given basic education in English. We are planing to start village schools in other areas of the district also”, Jojo said.“Knowledge of English has become necessary to survive. There are very few who have completed basic education in our tribe. “Even those who go to colleges in Kattappana know little English. I have decided to attend classes regularly to set an example for others,” Kozhimala king Aryan Raj Mannan said.
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