- Initiative to bring approximately 800 children into the fold through 24 alternative schools
- Classes resume in previously closed schools; students reach engineering and medical colleges through free coaching
Efforts to expand access to education in the remote and Naxal-affected regions of Narayanpur district are opening up new educational opportunities for children. Over the past two years, the School Education Department has undertaken numerous initiatives to ensure quality education, including opening new schools, reopening closed ones, and establishing alternative schools. An initiative has been launched to integrate approximately 800 children into the educational mainstream through 24 alternative schools in the district. Simultaneously, students are gaining opportunities for advancement through free coaching for competitive exams, digital learning, and vocational education.
Under the ‘Niyad Nella Nar’ scheme, four new primary schools were established in Irakbhatti, Jadda, Tadobeda, and Toyameta (Enmeta) during the 2024-25 academic session. Additionally, classes resumed in nine primary schools that had been closed for a long period; these efforts benefited 207 students. Operations for 24 alternative schools began during the 2025-26 and 2026-27 academic sessions, extending education to children in villages who had previously lacked the opportunity to attend school. Four primary schools were also inaugurated in the 2026-27 session.
- Identifying Out-of-School Children through the ‘School Keinta’ Campaign
A special campaign named ‘School Keinta’ was launched in the district to bring school dropouts and children who had never enrolled into the school system. Under this initiative, a survey of 24,701 families was conducted, identifying 1,047 school dropouts and 1,295 children who had never enrolled in school. Efforts are underway to integrate these children into the educational mainstream by enrolling them in schools. Currently, 538 schools are operational in the district. Facilities for residential education include two Kasturba Gandhi Vidyalayas, two ‘Porta Cabin’ schools, and one dormitory. Kendriya Vidyalayas and Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas are also providing educational opportunities to students. To strengthen the teaching system, the appointment of 273 guest teachers has been sanctioned across 187 government schools. In villages where the need exists, arrangements for children’s education are also being made through ‘Shiksha Doots’ (education volunteers).
- Free Coaching Paves the Way for Higher Education
Free coaching has been provided in the district for the past two years to help students prepare for competitive exams like JEE and NEET. For the 2025-26 academic session, 16 out of 29 students from the mathematics stream secured admission to various prestigious government engineering colleges. Seven students from the biology stream succeeded in the NEET counseling process; notably, one student was selected for the MBBS course at a government medical college.
- Digital Education and Innovation Expanding Learning Opportunities
The district operates 10 ICT labs and 32 smart classrooms. Digital teaching materials are helping students grasp subjects in a simple and engaging manner. Through Atal Tinkering Labs established in eight schools, children are being given opportunities to conduct scientific experiments and build models. Additionally, 12 higher secondary schools are introducing students to practical knowledge and employment-oriented skills through vocational education. One ‘PM SHRI’ school operates in each of the two development blocks, and there are a total of seven ‘Swami Atmanand Vidyalayas’ functioning in the district. Work has commenced on operating boys’ and girls’ hostels—each with a capacity of 100 seats—under the PM-JANMAN scheme for students belonging to Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs). The district’s performance in board examination results has also improved in Narayanpur district.