116 Schools reopen after 16 years in Naxal-dominated tribal villages of Chhattisgarh, will benefit 2,600 kids
The government decided to create a network so that students should get the right to education. 900 students were enrolled yesterday in 14 schools in a block.
After 16 years of efforts, schools have been opened in Naxal-dominated villages of Bijapur district in Chattisgarh, informed the district administration.
While speaking to ANI, Ritesh Agarwal, District Collector of Bijapur said, “Many schools were destroyed by Naxals in last 15-16 years. 116 schools will be opened this year, benefitting over 2,800 children. The children from Pedda Jojer, Chinna Jojer and Kamkanar villages of Bijapur block can get an education now.”
Block Education Officer (BEO) Zakir Khan said, “The most difficult part is to establish a conversation with the villagers. The government decided to create a network so that students should get the right to education. 900 students are enrolled today in 14 schools in a block”.
“We were knowing only Gondi language earlier but we can speak Hindi now. Teachers are coming every day. The school administration is providing us with books and school dress,” Neha, a student told ANI.
Teachers have to wade through a river to reach the school every day. Despite all odd, students informed that the teachers have not missed a single class.
On Tuesday, August 10, the Naxal-dominated Tarrem village in Bijapur acquired electricity, a primary health center (PHC), a school, an electrical connection, and roads, among other civic amenities, for the first time in 30 years. As the region became a victim of Naxal warfare after 1980, residents of Tarrem hamlet, located around 500 kilometers from the capital city Raipur, were deprived of basic amenities. Now, primary healthcare, Anganwadi centers, a ration shop, and roads are available in the region. Due to the violence by Naxals, many villagers were forced to flee from their homes.
On April 3, 2021, as many as 22 soldiers were killed, and 31 sustained injuries in the encounter with Naxals in the forest of Tekulagudem and Jonaguda which is only 10-12 kilometres from Tarrem village.
