- Tribal children from Dantewada’s Jawanga Education City are cracking NEET, securing admissions to IITs and NITs, and landing jobs at global companies like S&P Global.
The Atal Bihari Vajpayee Education City in Jawanga, located in the Dantewada district of South Bastar, has emerged as a major hub for education, skill development, sports, and self-confidence for tribal children. This Education City has transformed the lives of tribal children who were once grappling with violence and poverty. Children from remote villages previously faced immense challenges in accessing safe education and opportunities for advancement. Today, daughters from this region are on the path to becoming doctors after clearing NEET, young people are employed by major global firms like S&P Global, and athletes are honing their talents on the field. This is the story of children who have overcome every challenge to prove their mettle. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi visited the Jawanga Education City in Dantewada, Chhattisgarh, on May 9, 2015; he inspected the facility and interacted with the students.
- A ‘City of Dreams’ Spanning 150 Acres
The Atal Bihari Vajpayee Education City is a significant educational initiative by the Government of Chhattisgarh. Various institutions offering school education, residential schooling, skill training, and technical education operate here. This Education City is not limited to mere academic activities; it is a world in itself. Spread across approximately 150 acres, the campus houses 43 educational and residential institutions. A total of 7,436 students are studying here, including 4,692 girls. Of these, 5,370 students reside in the on-campus hostels while pursuing their education. Children arriving from remote forests and villages are finding a safe home, food, education, and guidance—all under one roof. As a result, the school dropout rate has plummeted from 50% to just 13%.
Girls from villages that once lacked even a primary health center are now poised to become doctors after clearing the NEET-UG exam. Many students from the ‘Chhu Lo Aasman’ Girls’ Residential Coaching Center in Karli have succeeded in NEET-UG this year, securing admissions to state government medical colleges for MBBS, Ayurveda, Dentistry, and Veterinary Science courses. Beyond merely passing the exam, this marks a monumental achievement for families who had never even imagined their daughters would one day be called “Doctor Beti” (Doctor Daughter).
- A New Chapter in the Digital Revolution
The efforts of ‘NavGurukul’ in the realm of digital education are equally inspiring. Here, youth are being trained in modern digital skills. Approximately 100 youths trained at this center have secured employment with reputed companies in fields such as data analytics and software development. One NavGurukul student has been selected for a data analytics role at S&P Global. This achievement demonstrates that talent from Bastar is now reaching major national companies. Furthermore, 95 percent of the students undergoing training in trades like diesel mechanic, fitter, welder, and electrician at the ITI belong to tribal communities.
- Nurturing Sporting Talent
At ‘Education City,’ sporting talent is being honed alongside academic studies. The ‘Eklavya Sports Complex’ here boasts excellent facilities, including an Olympic-standard swimming pool, and provisions for horse riding, archery, and indoor sports. Around 4,000 tribal children are undergoing training at this complex, which is associated with the ‘Khelo India’ initiative. These children are not merely learning sports; they are also cultivating discipline, self-confidence, and a winning spirit. Top Priority for Girls’ Education
A key feature of Jawanga Education City is its special focus on girls’ education. Here, girls from rural areas are pursuing their studies in a safe environment through dedicated schools and hostels. Approximately 1,200 female students are receiving higher education in Arts, Science, and Commerce streams at the ‘Swami Atmanand School.’ Excellent facilities—including accommodation, meals, libraries, and laboratories—have earned the trust of parents. This initiative is turning the dreams of girls from remote villages—who previously lacked educational opportunities—into reality.
‘Aastha Vidya Mandir’ has provided a new home to orphaned and violence-affected children from regions like Dantewada, Bijapur, and Sukma, which were once Naxal-affected areas. Admission here is based not on merit, but on the child’s needs and circumstances. These children are finding a safe shelter, education, sports, music, and a happy childhood. Having grown up amidst the sound of gunfire, these children are now forging new identities for themselves in the world of books.
- Widespread Acclaim for the Model
The success of Jawanga Education City has been recognized internationally as well. The prestigious organization KPMG has included it among the world’s top 100 (innovative) projects—a list featuring only six projects from all of India. The Dantewada administration has also been honored with the ‘Prime Minister’s Award for Excellence’ for this unique initiative. Impressed by the success of this education model, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former President Ram Nath Kovind have visited Jawanga and praised the project. Today, Jawanga Education City has become a place where the dreams of tribal children come to life.