Officials cross rivers and hills, trek 5 hours to complete school admissions in remote Abujhmad village
In a significant step towards bringing education to the interiors of Abujhmad, a primary school has been opened for the first time in Karkabeda village of Narayanpur district, an area once known as a Naxal stronghold. For decades after Independence, children in the remote village remained deprived of basic education facilities. Today, the opening of the school is being seen as a major sign of changing times in the region, where children are now holding books and pencils instead of growing up amid fear and violence.
The initiative is being seen as part of the broader push for development and restoration of normalcy in remote Bastar areas under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah, with the focus gradually shifting from conflict to education and basic public services in once Naxal-affected regions.
The new school started recently, describing the first day of school the district officials said that on the very first day of school, there was a special glow on the faces of the children. Along with the commencement of classes, the district administration provided all 20 children with free uniforms, textbooks, slates, pencils, blackboards and other essential educational materials. The new school is also expected to benefit children from nearby villages, including Markud. At present, the district administration has arranged a local guest teacher for the smooth functioning of the school.
Giving credit to Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai government, Karkabeda Sarpanch Shri Ramuram Wadde said, “The opening of a school in the village was like a dream come true for them. We are grateful to the state government for this development in the region. Now the children of the Tribal dominated region would not have to risk their lives travelling far away for education.”
The initiative for opening school gained momentum after a public grievance redressal camp organised recently in Kodenar area of Abujhmad. During the camp, villagers from Karkabeda urged officials to open a school in the village so that children could access education without travelling through difficult forest terrain. Taking immediate note of the demand, the district administration directed the Education Department to begin the process.
A survey conducted by the department found 20 children eligible for primary education in the village. Thereafter, a joint team comprising the Block Education Officer, Block Resource Coordinator, Cluster Coordinator, Sarpanch and teachers displayed remarkable courage. Crossing difficult terrain, several rivers, streams and hills, the team undertook a challenging five-hour trek to reach Karkabeda and formally inaugurated the new primary school.
Officials said the development reflects the gradual expansion of governance and basic services in remote parts of Abujhmad after the decline of Naxal influence. The opening of the school is being viewed not only as an educational achievement, but also as a step towards long-term social change and stability in the region.
