Is Traditional Schooling Failing Our Kids?

Think about the last time you saw a child truly excited to learn. Not cramming for an exam. Not memorizing for marks. But actually hungry to discover something new.

Hard to recall, isn’t it?

That’s because the education system wasn’t built to spark curiosity. It was designed in the industrial age—to produce workers, not thinkers. 

But it’s 2025. The world has changed. The job market has changed. Yet, our schools? They’re stuck in the past.

We need thinkers, innovators, and self-driven learners. And guess what? Community micro-schools are making that happen.

Dr. Aniruddha Malpani, the MD of ApniPathshala, has a bold vision. One where kids take charge of their learning and schools adapt to students, not the other way around.

In an exclusive conversation, he explained why traditional schooling is “broken” and his take on the ultimate community micro schools: the future of education in India!

“Traditional Schooling is Broken.”

Dr. Malpani doesn’t sugarcoat it:

“The current system follows a one-size-fits-all approach. It expects every child to learn at the same pace, in the same way, no matter their interests or abilities. It kills curiosity.”

A child who loves art is forced to focus on math.  A budding scientist spends years learning outdated theories instead of experimenting. A kid passionate about robotics barely gets to touch a circuit until college. Doesn’t it hurt you?

Rote learning. Endless exams. Outdated teaching methods.

Kids aren’t learning how to think. They’re learning what to think, just long enough to pass a test and forget everything the next day.

Worst part? Schools are preparing kids for a world that no longer exists. Future jobs demand adaptability, creativity, and independent thinking but classrooms are still stuck in factory-mode education.

This is where community micro-schools step in.

What Are Community Microschools?

Community micro-schools are small, student-centered learning spaces that prioritize self-directed learning. Instead of rigid curriculums, they function as “GPS systems for learning.”

“Imagine a child passionate about robotics,” Dr. Malpani explains. “In a traditional school, they’d have to wait years before exploring it. But in a community micro-school, they set robotics as their goal, and we provide them with the right tools, mentorship, and resources to achieve it.”

At ApniPathshala, students are not passive learners. They choose their learning paths while facilitators (not teachers) guide them. This approach ensures students remain engaged and develop skills that actually matter in real life.

The Role of Technology in Personalized Learning

A common concern about self-directed learning is: “What if students struggle without teachers?” The answer lies in technology.

Apni Pathshala integrates AI-powered chatbots, custom-built ApnaPCs, and EdTech tools to provide students with instant support. “Our chatbot acts like a 24/7 tutor, answering questions, offering explanations, and even recommending learning materials based on the child’s progress,” says Dr. Malpani.

Students also collaborate with peers, learning from each other. This peer-to-peer learning method has proven to be more effective than traditional rote memorization.

Ensuring Strong Academic Foundations

Many parents worry that alternative education might compromise basic academic skills. 

But in reality, micro-schools teach kids core subjects like math and language into real-world applications.

“For example, a student coding a game will naturally use math and logic,” Dr. Malpani explains. “If they write a blog about it, they’ll develop language skills. Learning happens in context, which is far more effective than memorization.”

And we cannot agree more!

For students preparing for exams, ApniPathshala offers structured pathways. They use resources like Khan Academy and BeyondExams to master concepts. The result? Students perform better in academics because they actually understand what they’re learning, rather than just memorizing for tests.

Making Education Accessible for All

Quality education shouldn’t be a privilege. That’s why accessibility is at the heart of Apni Pathshala’s model. Their ApnaPCs—affordable, robust, and designed specifically for education—have already reached thousands of students across 60 learning pods in India.

Instead of expensive infrastructures, micro-schools utilize community spaces, shared resources, and free or low-cost EdTech tools. This keeps costs down while ensuring high-quality learning for every child, regardless of economic background.

How Parents Are Embracing the Change?

One of the biggest challenges in changing education is convincing parents. Many are doubtful about choosing something that is completely different from the regular conventional path like traditional schools. They’ve been conditioned to believe that school = success.

But once they see their children growing—learning with excitement, building projects, and mastering subjects at their own pace, they become the biggest supporters of the model.

“Parents initially worry about exams, but they soon realize their kids are actually better prepared,” Dr. Malpani says. 

What’s Next for Community Microschools?

Dr. Malpani doesn’t just see community micro-schools as an alternative—he sees them as the future of education. A future where kids aren’t trapped in outdated classrooms but are free to learn in ways that excite them. He believes these micro-schools will spread across India, adapting to different communities. This will give every child a chance to learn at their own pace, and use technology to make education smarter, faster, and more personal.

But here’s the catch—this can’t happen without real support. For micro-schools to grow, the government needs to recognize them as legitimate schools, offer funding for things like PCs, internet access, and learning tools, and create flexible policies that allow kids to learn beyond traditional classrooms. With the right push, this movement could change education forever, making learning something kids actually love, not just something they have to do.

The Future is Here—Are You Ready?

So here’s the deal. The way we’ve been schooling kids? It’s broken. Everyone knows it, but we keep doing the same thing anyway.

Cram. Memorize. Exam. Forget. Repeat.

It’s like we’re forcing kids onto a factory assembly line, expecting them to come out as well-rounded, creative thinkers. 

Spoiler: They don’t.

Now, here’s where things get exciting. Community microschools aren’t “just another” fancy experiment. They’re working. They’re growing. And they’re proving that when you give kids the freedom to learn on their own terms, they grow.

Dr. Malpani sees a future where these micro-schools aren’t just for a handful of lucky kids—they’re everywhere. In cities, villages, small towns. Kids learn what excites them, in ways that actually make sense. No more outdated textbooks, no more mindless memorization. But here’s the catch—this won’t happen overnight. To take things to the next level, we need real support.

Change is happening, whether we’re ready or not. The old system is getting off now, and something better is taking its place.So now, the real question is: Are we going to fight for it, or just sit back and watch?