Bijapur (Chhattisgarh), September 5: Before the school bells ring across villages in Bijapur, more than 50 children from six schools gather at a modest coaching centre with a common goal — to succeed in competitive examinations such as the Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya entrance test and build a better future through education.

Inspired by the popular biographical film Super 30, starring Hrithik Roshan, local teachers Pritam Kumar Baiga and Gajendra Pradhan have been conducting free coaching classes for underprivileged children for the past two years. The classes are held early in the morning, before the students begin their regular school day.

The initiative carries particular significance in Bijapur, a district once known as a Naxal stronghold. Today, children in its remote villages are increasingly looking towards education as a means of overcoming the challenges around them and pursuing their aspirations.

“I am in the fifth grade. I am preparing here for the Navodaya entrance exam. I want to continue studying, do well and become something in life,” one student told ANI.

Another student said she was determined to pursue her ambitions through education. “I want to study well here and achieve what I aspire to become. I am preparing for Navodaya and I want to become a teacher,” she said.

The coaching programme began informally, driven by the commitment of teachers who noticed the students' enthusiasm for learning and wanted to give them additional support.

Satyajeet Rana, Cluster Coordinator for Dhanaura, said the children's interest encouraged the teachers to take up the initiative.

“When I first arrived here, I noticed that the children showed a genuine interest in their studies. Teachers like Gajendra Yadav, the head teacher, and Pritam Kumar Baiga were already spending their own time helping the children prepare for examinations such as the Navodaya entrance test,” Rana told ANI.

“Seeing the interest among both the students and teachers, I encouraged them to continue the effort. For the last two years, we have been working to prepare the children for these competitive examinations,” he added.

For Gajendra Pradhan, an assistant teacher who was posted in the area in March 2024, the motivation was straightforward — to provide students with opportunities that might otherwise be out of reach.

“It started just last year. There is a lot of interest here. The children are very active, and there is a huge craze for the Navodaya entrance exam,” Pradhan said.

“We thought that since we could provide them with good education and help them prepare, we should start this initiative. There are approximately 53 students this year, and children from six different schools come here,” he added.

The effort has already begun producing encouraging results. Over the past two years, several students associated with the programme have secured admission to Navodaya Vidyalayas — a significant achievement for children from remote and underserved villages.

In a district once marked by conflict and limited educational opportunities, these early-morning classrooms are offering a different picture of Bijapur. The initiative demonstrates how committed teachers, motivated students and access to even modest educational support can help turn the aspirations of children in rural communities into tangible opportunities.