NARAYANPUR,CG,BHARAT: In the Orchha block of Narayanpur district, a unique educational initiative known as the ‘Rekawaya Bhoomkal Hostel’ is being entirely managed by the villagers from 12 surrounding panchayats.

Established during the days of the Salwa Judum movement, the hostel and school not only provide education but also focus on the physical development of the children, with daily physical training (PT) sessions.

Despite the physical drills being part of the routine, villagers emphasize that it is more than just PT—it is a holistic approach to building physical and mental stamina among tribal children.

The Bhoomkal Hostel currently accommodates 115 children up to the 5th grade. What sets the school apart is that all the arrangements, from food, water, school uniforms, to teachers' salaries, are funded entirely by donations from the local villagers. Even the cooks are paid Rs 3,000 per month, thanks to the collective contributions from the community.

The school employs four young villagers as teachers: Pradeep Benjamin, Mangesh Netam, Laxman Podiyam, and Basu Olami, who earn Rs 4,000 per month each. Despite their educational qualifications ranging from 5th to 10th grade, they are dedicated to teaching and managing the children. The curriculum follows the Chhattisgarh state syllabus, and the daily routine includes a 4:30 AM start, followed by an hour of PT, and academic lessons from 8:30 AM to 11:30 AM.

Sanjay Pant, state president of the Bhartiya Kisan Union, has urged Maoist groups to hand over all Jantana Sarkar schools like it one to the government, so that tribal children can receive better educational facilities. He expressed the Union's firm support for the tribal community, emphasizing that no political entity should exploit their cause. Pant also called upon the tribal farmers to take control of their fight for water, forests, and land independently.

The grassroots initiative is a testament to the dedication of local communities to the education and well-being of their children, even in challenging circumstances.