Student: Dr. Malpani, I’ve been reading about different education models, and I came across Apni Pathshala. It doesn’t seem like a traditional school, nor is it a coaching center or a charity. What exactly is it?
Dr. Malpani: Great question! Apni Pathshala is a commons—a shared educational resource, run by the community, for the community. It’s not a business that charges high fees, nor is it a charity that treats students as passive beneficiaries. Instead, it’s an autonomously governed microschool, where students, mentors, and parents collaborate to create a learning space that actually works for them.
Student: That sounds really different from the schools I attended. But why do we need this model? What’s wrong with regular schools?
Dr. Malpani: The traditional school system is broken. It’s expensive, outdated, and designed to create obedient workers—not thinkers. Students are crammed into overcrowded classrooms, forced to memorize irrelevant facts, and judged solely on exam scores. Teachers are underpaid, overburdened, and stripped of any real autonomy. Meanwhile, coaching classes charge a fortune to teach the same outdated curriculum in a slightly different way.
Community microschools like Apni Pathshala are a radical alternative—small, flexible, and driven by real learning, not just exam scores.
Student: But if it’s not a business or a charity, how does it even function? Who runs it?
Dr. Malpani: That’s the beauty of the commons model. Instead of being controlled by a corporation or government, Apni Pathshala is run by the community itself. It operates on three key principles:
1️⃣ Autonomous Governance – The people who actually use the school—students, parents, and mentors—help shape how it works. There’s no rigid “one-size-fits-all” system. Every Pathshala evolves based on the needs of its learners.
2️⃣ Shared Resources – Instead of heavy school fees, students access education as a shared resource. The community contributes knowledge, skills, and materials to keep it sustainable.
3️⃣ Self-Directed Learning – No forced syllabi, no mindless cramming. Students learn through projects, discussions, and real-world problem-solving. They follow their curiosity rather than outdated textbooks.
Student: But does this really work? Don’t students need structure to succeed?
Dr. Malpani: Of course, structure is important—but not factory-style schooling where every child is forced to learn the same thing at the same time in the same way. Apni Pathshala offers structure without rigidity. Students learn at their own pace, work on meaningful projects, and develop critical thinking skills rather than just cramming for exams.
And it’s not just theoretical—community-driven microschools like this already exist across the world. The Acton Academy network, Prenda Schools, and Sudbury Valley Schools have all proven that small, learner-driven schools are the future of education.
Student: So if this model is so effective, why aren’t more people adopting it?
Dr. Malpani: Because the traditional school system is a business. Elite private schools make billions selling the illusion of “quality education.” Coaching centers profit by convincing parents that rote learning is the only path to success. Governments prefer centralized control over education, rather than letting communities shape their own schools.
But the good news? Parents and students are waking up to the reality that they don’t need to be trapped in this broken system. More communities are setting up their own microschools, free from government bureaucracy and corporate greed.
Student: This is really exciting! How can I get involved?
Dr. Malpani: Start by learning more about the commons model and how community-driven education works. If you’re interested in setting up or supporting a microschool in your area, check out ApniPathshala.org—we’re building a movement that will transform education from the ground up.
🚀 The future of learning is not in giant institutions—it’s in small, self-driven communities. Let’s build it together!