Education Grows Stronger as Naxalism Declines in Chhattisgarh

For years, large parts of Chhattisgarh remained under the shadow of Naxalism, where violence and fear disrupted basic services like healthcare and education. But today, a visible change is happening on the ground—schools that were once deserted are now buzzing with children, and teachers are returning to classrooms without fear. As Naxalite influence weakens, education

I chose to write about this topic because this is not just a development story—this is about real hope for lakhs of children who were denied their right to learn for decades. Education and peace go hand in hand, and what we are seeing in Chhattisgarh today is proof of that. As someone who believes that education can break cycles of poverty and violence, I feel it’s important to highlight how even in the most conflict-hit areas, when the right support comes in, change is possible. We often hear about the impact of Naxalism, but rarely do we talk about how education can fight back silently, steadily, and successfully. That’s why this deserves more attention.

Chhattisgarh’s Naxal-Affected Areas See Rising School Enrolments

In areas like Sukma, Dantewada, and Bijapur—once considered Naxal hotbeds—children are now seen walking to school with backpacks instead of being stuck indoors due to fear. With security forces regaining control and roads being built, access to schools has improved significantly. Local teachers, many of whom earlier refused postings in these areas, are now reporting to duty regularly.

According to the Chhattisgarh Education Department, school enrolment numbers in the Naxal-hit districts have improved steadily over the past 3 to 5 years. The state government’s push to open schools closer to tribal settlements and create safe zones for students and staff is showing results.

Why Education Was the First Casualty of Conflict

For decades, Naxalism stalled progress in these interior tribal regions. Schools were burned down, teachers were threatened, and attendance was negligible. Parents feared sending their children outside the village, and many kids were either pulled into domestic work or targeted by extremist propaganda.

Key reasons why education suffered in these regions:

Lack of road connectivity and infrastructure
Constant threat to teachers and students from Naxalites
Destruction of school buildings and learning centres
Poor communication between local administration and tribal communities
No role models or career awareness among tribal youth

What’s Changing on the Ground

Now that the security situation has improved, the state government and local NGOs are trying to rebuild the education system block by block. Some of the visible changes include:

Mobile schools and bridge courses for children who missed years of schooling
Recruitment of local youth as assistant teachers, especially from tribal communities
Introduction of bilingual education, using tribal languages in primary classes to ease learning
Hostel facilities for students in remote villages, so they don’t have to walk long distances
Focus on mid-day meals and healthcare to reduce dropout rates

The recent launch of CM School of Excellence and other such schemes in these districts are helping bring quality education to even the most backward regions.

Real-Life Stories of Change

In a village in Dantewada, 11-year-old Aarti is now studying in Class 5 and dreams of becoming a police officer. Just a few years ago, her school was locked for months due to Naxal activity. Today, thanks to improved security and NGO support, not only is the school open, but children like her are also getting counselling and support for higher studies.

In Bijapur, a local teacher named Mahendra tells how he had once considered quitting due to the threats, but now teaches with confidence and even helps older tribal youth prepare for Class 10 exams through weekend classes.

Education vs Extremism: What This Means for the Future

Education is not just about literacy. In conflict zones like Chhattisgarh, it plays a key role in giving people the power to question violence and seek better lives. With more children in schools, fewer young people are being lured by extremist ideologies.

Here’s how education weakens Naxalism:

Promotes critical thinking and reduces blind faith in armed ideologies
Empowers girls and women to step out of fear
Creates job opportunities and reduces dependency on illegal networks
Builds trust between the state and local communities

What More Needs to Be Done

Even though the situation is improving, a lot still needs attention:

More permanent teachers and reduction of contract-based hires
Building proper roads and digital infrastructure in interior villages
Regular monitoring of schools to prevent dropouts
Training for teachers on how to deal with trauma and disrupted learning
Greater focus on vocational education and career guidance for tribal youth

Education and Employment Can Transform Society: Dinesh Gundu Rao Highlights the Way Forward

During a recent public address in Mangaluru, Karnataka’s Health and Family Welfare Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao stressed that education and employment are two powerful tools that can shape the future of any society. He pointed out that when people are educated and have meaningful jobs, they can rise above social divisions, poverty, and other long-standing issues. His statement came while addressing students and faculty at a function organised at Srinivas University, where he also touched on the importance of knowledge-driven growth.

I felt the need to write about this because it’s rare to hear such a strong political focus on the link between education, employment and overall societal transformation. We often hear about schemes, budgets and infrastructure, but rarely is the bigger picture discussed—how these two sectors can change the life of a common person. This topic matters to all of us, especially the youth, who are navigating a fast-changing job market while also dealing with rising academic pressure. By writing about this, I hope more people start thinking seriously about how education is not just about degrees, and employment is not just about money—it’s about dignity, stability and progress.

Why Education and Employment Matter Together

Education and employment are often treated as separate issues, but in reality, they go hand-in-hand. Education gives people the ability to think, create and contribute. Employment gives them the opportunity to apply what they know, support their families, and be part of the economy. According to Dinesh Gundu Rao, these two pillars must be developed together if we want a fairer and more productive society.

He stressed that:

Lack of access to education pushes people into poverty.
Unemployment leads to frustration, crime, and brain drain.
A society that fails to create job-ready youth will always remain unequal.

This is why investing in schools, colleges, and job-oriented courses is not just a policy decision—it’s a moral responsibility.

Government’s Role in Creating Equal Opportunities

During the event, Rao mentioned that governments should focus not only on building schools and colleges but also on ensuring the quality of education. He said students from rural areas often struggle because they don’t have the same access to English-medium teaching or computer labs as those in urban areas. This kind of inequality reflects in the job market too, where rural youth get fewer chances.

He also pointed out that:

Many graduates remain unemployed or underemployed because they are not industry-ready.
There is a big gap between what is taught in classrooms and what the job market demands.
Career counselling and vocational training should start at the school level.

According to him, if we want to see real change, we need long-term thinking and serious government commitment—not just one-time policies or election promises.

Importance of Social Harmony for Progress

One of the key messages Rao delivered was about unity. He said education should be a tool to unite people and not divide them. The minister raised concern about how communalism and polarisation are slowly taking attention away from important issues like job creation and educational reform.

He added that:

When youth are unemployed, they are more vulnerable to divisive ideologies.
Education can help people develop critical thinking and tolerance.
A strong education and employment ecosystem reduces dependence on populist politics.

He urged young people to stay informed, ask questions, and focus on real-life issues rather than distractions.