What You Must Know Of The Alternate Education in India

efinition of alternative

According to Google alternative

/ɔːlˈtəːnətɪv,ɒlˈtəːnətɪv/

adjective

1.(of one or more things) available as another possibility or choice. "the various alternative methods for resolving disputes"

Why are people seeking alternative learning approaches?

• Not happy with public schools  

One of the main reasons why people are seeking alternative forms of learning is their dissatisfaction with public schooling systems. Parents and students have become increasingly frustrated with the one-size-fits-all approach that many public schools take toward education, leading them to look elsewhere for a more personalized learning experience.

• Change in the learning style of students

Another reason why people are turning to alternative forms of learning is due to changing learning styles. Traditional instruction methods may not work for all students, so they search for different ways that provide them with the opportunity to learn in a way that best suits their needs.

• School setting and learning environment

The school setting and learning environment may also not be a good fit for some students. For example, students who are highly creative or have special needs may find that they learn better outside of the traditional classroom setting. Alternative forms of learning allow them to pursue interests in a more suitable environment, allowing them to reach their full potential.

Students who do not want to commit to full time courses can adopt alternative learning methods like online courses, homeschooling and virtual classrooms.

Alternative learning

Alternate learning is an educational approach that provides learners with the opportunity to learn in a variety of ways outside of a traditional classroom setting.

It can involve methods such as

charter schools

non-traditional educational setting

private schools

home-based learning

online classes

vocational learning

unschooling

world schooling

apprenticeships, and

project-based learning.

• Alternate learning allows students to explore their interests more deeply and gain relevant skills and knowledge in an environment that is tailored to their individual needs.
• It also encourages them to develop self-directed learning skills and gain a greater sense of self-discipline and independence.
• Alternate learning can open up many opportunities for students, such as internships or jobs related to their interests, as well as access to important networks and mentorships. It can be especially beneficial for students who are not able to attend a traditional school.
• Alternate learning is becoming increasingly popular in today's ever-changing education landscape and is an effective way to gain knowledge and skills outside of the four walls of the classroom.
• Ultimately, alternate learning provides learners with a unique opportunity to learn in their own way, on their own terms.
• An independent learner may benefit from a course that is more personalized and tailored to their specific needs, as well as from the guidance of an experienced instructor.
  

Though alternatives exist there is a fear amongst parents that their children will not be able to cope with the ‘real world’ if they don’t go to a ‘regular’ school.

There are many successful Indian unschoolers that you must listen to understand how the system can be changed.

Schools with alternative education offer a more personalized approach by tailoring their curriculum to the student’s specific needs while still providing guidance and support from experienced educators.

Alternative education

• It can also provide learners with an opportunity to learn important life skills such as problem-solving and critical thinking, which can be invaluable for the future. In addition, alternative learning can give students a chance to explore their own passions further, which can result in positive personal development.
• With all of these benefits, alternate learning is certainly worth considering for those looking for a unique and meaningful learning experience.
• For an independent learner going the conventional way may not  be an ideal option
• An individual student may prefer independent learning and not want to follow the conventional route of education. They are not dependent on an institution or they do not want to have a graduation degree or certification. For these learners, alternative learning can provide them with a more customizable and self-directed learning experience that better suits their needs.
• Ultimately, alternative forms of learning can offer students the opportunity to pursue an education in a way that best suits them, allowing them to reach their full potential and succeed.

It is an excellent way to gain knowledge and skills, develop self-discipline, explore personal interests, and open up new opportunities.

How can Alternative Education setting help?

Alternative education setting has become an increasingly popular way of learning and can be beneficial for learners looking to gain new knowledge, skills, and experiences. Alternate learning has the potential to open up many opportunities that may not have otherwise been available through traditional methods.

An alternative learning environment may be suitable for school students who are tagged for behavioural issues or for at-risk students who are not doing well in a school environment, A parent may choose to use alternative support for their child with special needs who may not be doing well in a traditional school setting.

Educational options for students who need one-on-one learning are exploding, with more and more options for alternative learning emerging. Talented kids who prefer an independent study style can benefit immensely.

Students enrolled in college programs have the choice to learn online, as well as through in-person classes. For students who struggle with traditional academic subjects, alternative learning models can provide interest-based and creative learning opportunities.

Alternative education programs

Alternative education programs come in a variety of forms and can include homeschooling, online classes, apprenticeships, project-based learning, and more. It is important to research the type of program that best suits your needs and interests before committing to an alternate learning path. Ultimately, alternate learning provides learners with a unique opportunity to gain knowledge and skills outside of the classroom, as well as opens up many new opportunities and personal development.

alternative programs are an excellent way to gain knowledge and skills in a tailored environment that is suited to the learner's style. With all of these benefits, alternate learning is certainly worth considering for those looking for a unique and meaningful learning experience.

Indian media on unschooling

"Many urban Indian parents are ditching the current education system to let their kids learn whatever they want. According to a report published in Mirror Now on 21 December 2017, as many as 15,000 Indian families have decided to keep their children from going to school and instead educate them about individual calibre, holistic development and the community machinery. Unschooling is becoming a trend in urban India with Bengaluru and Pune leading the chart."- The Indian Express,May 5, 2020

"But there are a few parents now who, tired of the conformist educational code and practices prevalent in the country, are taking the path less travelled and choosing to homeschool (wherein children follow their own unique self-directed learning paths) and even unschool (an educational method and philosophy that advocates learner-chosen activities as a primary means for learning) their children."-  Rising Kashmir September 24, 2020

At least 15,000 Indian families are not sending their kids to school simply because they care more about their child’s happiness, potential, and holistic development, and less about certificates and their ability to make money. -Bangalore Mirror Bureau Nov 26, 2017,

With most mainstream educational institutes in India (as in any part of the world) relying heavily on inculcating this discipline among their pupils, some parents are breaking away from the norm. These parents insist on the practice of self-learning rather than prescribing to prevailing educational standards that aim to inculcate knowledge and self-discipline on the strength of observation, evaluation, punishment and reward. The method they prefer is a learning pattern known as radical unschooling.-First post, October 23, 2019

Then there are those who take this thinking to its farthest end: a subset that calls themselves “radical unschoolers". In these families, parents completely surrender their role as authority figures and instead treat the child as an equal member of the household. When frustrated by their child’s behaviour, radical unschooling parents negotiate with reason and vulnerability, presenting choices wherever possible. “This is upsetting me, can you stop?" rather than “Don’t do this". If reasoning is ineffective, parents communicate their anger or frustration, but still don’t enforce discipline.- Mint Lounge  29.09.2018  

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Here are some Ted Talks which will help you understand the different methods of learning

Homeschooling or Whole Being Living | Urmila Samson | TEDxSalisburyPark

Urmila Samson 

 Urmila is the co-founder of the Swashikshan-Association of Indian Homeschoolers.

She speaks about the difference between homeschooling and Unschooling - 

In homeschooling, parents know their kids and the learning is more flexible, parents decide the curriculum around the interests of the child and the learning is more organic. While unschooling is led by parents who are not taking the plunge into teaching but are trusting the kids to take their own path, they decide how to learn.

She talks about 4 reasons she would not send her children to even the best of schools.

Imagination - She says everything in the world can be reimagined, if kids are allowed to play free they will explore more.

Inner voice - Are we letting our inner voice guide us or are we allowing others to tell us what we should do with our lives?

Deschooling the self - Parents are always worried about themselves, about what others think of them. Parents have to face their fears, in order to give their children the freedom they need.

Whole Being Learning- Children are led by passion which fuelled discipline, which in turn results in better learning. Children can stay integrity, in their bodies, mind, and soul.

Samson argues that schools often ignore the whole person, and instead focus on standardized learning. She believes that this type of learning ignores imagination, inner voice, and self-awareness.

She talks about how her kids played and enjoyed the little things like planting trees, creating cities indoors with blocks, digging in the mud, and many more things. How they weren't just taught these things but discovered them by themselves

How learning at home gave her kids confidence, made them independent, and helped them find their own voice.

"Children should be raised with a sound mind, practical skills and imagination, humor and compassion in the fast world we are living in"

Homeschooling for my son - Shantanu Gupta

Shantanu Gupta decided to homeschool his son and he shares his take on the present education system.

In a school there are two components -the curriculum and the teacher running the curriculum, but how are we sure that the ones driving these two have the best of minds? In a school children spend 7 to 8 hours and then another 2 -3 hours in tuition centers to clear their doubts.

He says if children anyways learn in the tuition centers, what is the purpose of schools?

"Children have to spend 20,000 hours in schools just for certificates in the end"

He points out that colleges like MIT and Harvard are preferring homeschooled kids, also they are desirable candidates for jobs.

Schools spend 90% of their time on curriculum and the rest 10 % on extracurricular activity.

He explains beautifully how the joy of learning is taken away by the 30-minute class periods in schools where you can hardly fall in love with any subject. The children have no freedom to decide how and what they want to learn.

"Shouting and screaming at kids is normal at school, The schools stigmatize mistakes by giving marks"

The factory model of sameness is applied by the same learning method for all the students. He says parents understand learning only in terms of subjects.

He talks about how his kids learn to do art, enjoy playing music, loves to camp, etc. He attends all family functions, birthday parties, marriages, etc.

The basic idea is he loves to learn.

How schools can stop teaching and start learning - Anju Musafir - Founder of Mahatama Gandhi International School.

"Schools don't educate us they condition us"

She shares how she cannot relate to anything that she learned in school in her real life. she and her husband went on to create a school that was not limited to a timetable, uniforms, and subjects. She draws a parallel between schools and prisons - the uniforms, the roll calls, assembly, the cellular sitting system where children cannot talk to each other.

How does Mahatama Gandhi International School school work?

They have a 3-tier system which is made of

• Research action center
• Teacher training
• School application

They developed a methodology called generated resources learning which makes use of the body primarily to learn different things. The idea is to use their own body to learn and not see learning as something different from life.

They have a project where children make films like they have made films on the Election commission of India, on the State Government of

Anju Musafir talks about how schools can stop teaching and start learning. She argues that the current education system is outdated and does not prepare students for the real world.

She suggests making learning belong to students, making use of the body primarily to learn different things, and not seeing learning as something different from life.

How can schools make learning more relevant to students?

• Schools should be democratic- students should have a say in what they learn,
• The mapping of interdisciplinary projects is important- the children should be able to work with teachers
• The seating arrangement should foster equity - everyone should have an equal opportunity to learn
• Teachers should be facilitators and not sources of information

Anju Musafir suggests that in order to make learning more relevant to students we should avoid the word examination and focus on having a dialogue with the students. This removes the mindset of being behind someone in the class and also the feeling of being judged.

Examinations are a way of controlling what students learn, and they often don't reflect what students are actually capable of.

Musafir states that learning should be meaningful, purposeful, and related to the child's life. It must create citizenship.

She concludes by saying that every child matters and that we should not have a system that is designed to make some children feel more intelligent than others.

Why 50,000 Teachers Don't Send Their Own Kids To School | Vidhi Jain

Vidhi Jain is the co-founder of the Shikshantar Andolan. She points out why many teachers do not send their children to school. 

Jain says that most of her valuable learning was outside the school and classrooms.

She believes that the current education system is not preparing children for the real world. It stifles creativity and makes some children feel more intelligent than others.

She says that unschoolers have the opportunity to pursue their passion quite early on and can have a more well-rounded education like her daughter who was unschooled and enjoys farming, photography, and art.

She says that learning is a lifelong process and we need not be dependent on schools to learn.

She advises parents to take a gap year if the idea of unschooling scares them, and to experiment with different approaches to learning.

She elaborately talks about the obsession people have with degrees, and how it has become a status symbol.

Jain concludes by saying that we need to rethink education and that it is time for a change.

In India, the alternate education system is not very popular. Many people are not even aware of its existence.

There are many reasons for this, parents are scared to take a chance because there is a fear of not getting admission to mainstream colleges if their children take an alternate route.

The other reason is that parents are not sure if they will be able to give time to their children if they take an alternate route because in India most of the time both parents are working.

But thankfully we are living in times where information is readily available and people are more aware. So hopefully in the future, we will see more people opt for an alternate education system.

The basic programming that parents have about schools being the ultimate answer for education is being challenged and alternative learning pathways are being sought out for students who don’t fit into the traditional model.