Education is a basic human right, and every child should have access to it. Many children cannot exercise this right because of lack of schools near them. Millions have not been to school, the primary reasons being poverty, inaccessibility, a lack of infrastructure, conflicts at home, and the like.
Education involves learning. Even if schools exist, learning is difficult in the absence of trained teachers, books, other supplies, and proper infrastructure. There are many school going children who do not reach even the minimum proficiency levels in reading.
Adani Vidya Mandir (AVM), run by the Adani Foundation, was started to provide education to children belonging to the weaker sections of society. The school in Surguja has students from in and around the area, with many coming from underprivileged backgrounds. The school caters to a highly marginalised population. Most of them are first-generation learners, who lack access to modern technology, and even the fundamental academic help.
A co-educational, English medium school affiliated to the Central Board for Secondary Education, AVM aims to assist students in realising their full potential by providing a learner-friendly environment and devoted instructors. The school boasts of an enviable infrastructure consisting of 23 smart classes, a rich library, well-equipped laboratories, and a sprawling playground.
The school is in a remote location that is deprived of sources like coaching, tuition, online classes, varied assessment techniques, and expert guidance. But turning the classrooms into digital learning spaces has improved the teaching and learning experience. Digitalization in school provides good content and enhances the skills of the teachers, which is beneficial to the students in improving their knowledge and learning steps.
With access to digital tools, students are equipped with an improved educational experience as well as ease of learning. They benefit from the assistance provided that helps them achieve higher aspirations and career paths. Ultimately, the success of these children empowers their families and communities.
Parents are happy because AVM provides children with everything related to education in a remote area like Surguja. The school also takes care of their food requirements, with the children getting nutritious meals prepared by the mothers of some of their peers. The school principal is very proud of the fact that the students, who were afraid of attending school at one point of time, are now very confident and can speak fluently in English and Hindi.
Surguja is one of Chhattisgarh’s oldest districts, with Scheduled Tribes constituting most of the population. About half of the land in the district is covered by forests. Difficult geography, poor infrastructure, and high levels of underdevelopment and poverty pose multiple challenges. The Adani Group’s entry into the state has helped to restore some sense of normalcy in the lives of the tribal people.
The Group’s CSR arm, Adani Foundation, conducts many programmes on education, health, livelihood promotion and infrastructure development along with the Rajasthan Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Limited (RRVUNL).
