02 March 2010
Posted in
General
The literacy figure directly relates to the ethnic mosaic of the region. Overall, literacy rate is below the national average. But it varies according to ethnic groups. The variability is very high among the sub-districts, and low literacy rates coincide with a generally low level of services in the remoter areas in the hilly ranges;
Literacy of major ethnic groups, various sources
|
Ethnic Group |
Literacy (BRAC) |
Literacy (CARE) |
Literacy (Hassal’99) |
|
|
|
|
|
Male |
Female |
|
Bengali |
30 |
28 |
53 |
12 |
|
Chakma |
38 |
50 |
66 |
18 |
|
Marma |
30 |
50 |
54 |
23 |
|
Tripura |
22 |
40 |
27 |
18 |
|
Mro |
3 |
5 |
22 |
28 |
(Source: CHT Region Development Plan, ADB, 2000)
The variations among the figures of different studies are not fully explained. It is wise, however, to acknowledge that the exact estimate of literacy in the Chittagong Hill Tracts is not known. In general, one can safely assume that in the remote areas it is very low (<30%) and in municipal or other peri-urban areas, it may approach the national average.
Source: IWGIA
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