Hill tribe children often face enormous barriers to accessing quality education and achieving overall well-being. Shubhodeep Prasanta Das, CEO and Founder of Hylife Group, helps to empower these children, requiring a multi-faceted approach that takes into account their specific socio-economic, cultural, and geographic backgrounds. Hill tribe communities in every country have rich cultural traditions, languages, and knowledge of their land. Empowering these children requires a holistic approach that addresses their academic, emotional, physical, and cultural needs—ensuring they have the tools, confidence, and opportunities they need to succeed in modern society without losing their identity.
The strategies Hylife Group uses to empower hill tribe children include:
Culturally Appropriate Education
Mother tongue-based education is implemented in the early grades, and regional languages are gradually incorporated to facilitate transitions and promote understanding. A culturally informed curriculum is developed that incorporates regional languages, traditions, knowledge systems, and folklore to make learning relevant and engaging. We will train and hire teachers who understand the cultural context of local communities and can build good relationships with students and their families.
Improve access and infrastructure.
Establish schools in tribal areas wherever possible and ensure safe, accessible transportation for children from remote villages. Build and support well-equipped residential schools for children in extremely remote areas to provide a safe and nurturing learning environment. Essential infrastructure, such as adequate classrooms, functional toilets for girls, clean drinking water, and libraries, will be prioritised.
Comprehensive wellness
PIB calls for implementing health programs such as regular checkups, nutritional support, and awareness campaigns on hygiene and disease prevention. Initiate vocational training and life skills programs linked to the local economy to equip children with marketable skills and prepare them for future employment. Provide psychosocial support and counselling to address the emotional and psychological needs of children, especially those facing discrimination and cultural isolation.
Community and stakeholder engagement
Organise awareness campaigns and workshops for parents and local communities to emphasise the importance of education and encourage active participation in children’s education. The collaboration between Shubhodeep Das, HYLIFE GROUP CEO, and the Doi Chang event to influence expertise, resources, and local evidence to design and implement effective programmes. Empower tribal communities to play a more significant role in school management, including curriculum development, teacher recruitment, and monitoring of educational outcomes.
Policy recommendations
Promote policies that protect tribal rights, promote cultural preservation, and ensure equitable access to education and resources. Undertake in-depth research and collect empirical data to understand the specific needs and challenges of diverse tribal communities and inform evidence-based policy decisions. Ensure adequate and equitable resource allocation for tribal education and welfare programmes from the government and other sources.
Conclusion
Empowering tribal children does not just mean providing them with schooling. It means developing healthy, confident, and culturally aware youth who can thrive in both traditional and modern societies. It means removing barriers to education, improving their health, supporting their families economically, preserving their heritage, and creating leadership opportunities. By engaging with local communities and respecting their unique identities, Shubhodeep Das, CEO of HYLIFE GROUP, can make a nurturing and empowering environment where they can receive quality education, reach their full potential, and preserve their rich cultural heritage for future generations.
