Access to education is a fundamental driver of development, particularly in tribal and rural communities. However, in many villages across Peth, Surgana & Dindori, children are unable to pursue formal schooling—either due to economic constraints or because the curriculum does not resonate with their lived realities. As a result, students often lose interest and drop out early.
The situation is further aggravated after the monsoon season, when local livelihoods become unstable. Families struggle to meet basic needs, compelling children to contribute to household income or care for younger siblings. Only a small number gain admission to residential tribal schools, leading to an alarmingly high dropout rate.
Even among children who attend school, the rigid education system often fails to nurture creativity, critical thinking, and holistic development. Recognizing these challenges, Premankur introduced a unique and child-centric initiative known as Khelghar.
Khelghar is a simple yet transformative concept. Every evening, children—both school-going and out-of-school—gather for two hours of structured play and creative expression. This shared platform fosters interaction, confidence building, and inclusiveness.
Key developmental benefits include:
Khelghar has emerged as a safe, joyful, and nurturing environment that rekindles the childhood many tribal children often lose to economic hardship.
To encourage curiosity and observation, children were introduced to the idea of creating manuscript wall-papers for their village. Inspired by newspapers, each child became a “reporter,” documenting events, stories, and happenings from their surroundings.
These wall-papers became a powerful medium for learning, creativity, and community engagement.
Building upon the enthusiasm generated by the wall-papers, a Gammat Jatra (Children’s Fair) was organized. This day-long event belonged entirely to the children. They shared their ideas, showcased their creations, performed activities, and expressed themselves freely—with no judgment and no corrections.
The event strengthened community bonding and celebrated the imagination of local children.
With strong community participation, Premankur established the Premankur Gramvikas Sarvajanik Vachnalaya, a public library dedicated to knowledge, awareness, and youth empowerment.
The library has become a hub for learning, self-development, and community engagement, encouraging youth to broaden their horizons and explore opportunities for growth.