In a world where traditional schools are becoming increasingly rigid and outdated, many parents are beginning to ask a simple yet powerful question: Is there a better way for my child to learn? With growing awareness around self-directed learning and the limitations of the current education system, community microschools have emerged as a promising alternative. But the idea of starting your own school can feel intimidating. What does it take? Where do you begin? And can an ordinary parent really create a learning space that inspires children to explore and grow? In this heartfelt and informative conversation, Dr. Malpani—an advocate for educational reform and student-centered learning—answers these questions for an intelligent, concerned parent who’s ready to take charge of their child’s education.
Parent: Dr. Malpani, I’ve read about community microschools and how they’re changing lives. But I still feel overwhelmed. How does a regular parent like me even begin to start one?
Dr. Malpani: That’s a great question—and one I’m hearing more and more often. And I’m so glad you’re asking it! It means you’re ready to reclaim your child’s education and put them at the center of their learning journey. Let’s break it down together, step by step.
Parent: First things first—why should I even start a microschool?
Dr. Malpani: Let’s be honest. The traditional schooling system is broken. It’s rigid, outdated, and treats children as products on an assembly line. Kids are bored, stressed, and disengaged. Parents are frustrated. Teachers are overburdened.
Microschools flip the model. They’re small, personalized learning spaces—run by communities, not bureaucracies. Here, learning is self-directed. Kids can explore, create, and grow at their own pace. You don’t need permission from the government or a fancy degree. All you need is the willingness to put your child’s future first.
Parent: Okay, so I’m convinced about the why. But who can start one? Am I even qualified?
Dr. Malpani: You are qualified, because you care.
Microschools are not led by “teachers” in the traditional sense—they’re run by facilitators, mentors, or even parents like you. You don’t need to know every subject. You just need to create a safe, supportive space where children can learn using online tools, peer discussions, projects, and real-world experiences.
And you don’t have to do it alone. You can team up with another parent, a retired teacher, a college student, or even a local NGO. In fact, many of our Teach to Earn PODs are run by senior citizens, homemakers, or educated youth who want to contribute meaningfully to their communities.
Parent: That’s encouraging! But what about where to start it? I don’t have a fancy classroom or a big house.
Dr. Malpani: You don’t need one. A living room, a garage, an empty room in your housing society, or even a community hall will do. Some of our most successful pods are running out of small spaces with just a few chairs, a table, and a couple of PCs.
What matters is not the infrastructure, but the culture. A microschool should feel safe, welcoming, and full of curiosity.
And don’t forget—if you live in a low-income or crowded neighborhood, that’s exactly where these pods are needed the most. You’re not just helping your child—you’re building a community of learners.
Parent: That brings me to my next question—when is the right time to start?
Dr. Malpani: There’s never a perfect time. And there’s no need to wait for government approval or a curriculum mandate. The right time is now—while your children are still curious and open to learning.
Start small. Begin with just 3-5 kids from your neighborhood. Run it for a couple of hours each day. Use free resources like YouTube, Khan Academy, or the DIKSHA platform. Observe how kids learn. You’ll be surprised at how quickly they adapt—and enjoy it!
Parent: You’ve answered all my questions so well. Just one last thing—what does a day in a microschool look like?
Dr. Malpani: It’s flexible, and it can be as creative as you want it to be! But here’s a basic idea:
- Start with a check-in: Let every child share what they want to learn or explore that day.
- Online learning: Give them access to educational videos, apps, or coding platforms.
- Project time: Let them build, paint, write, or research something of interest.
- Peer sharing: Create a space where they show their work and learn from each other.
- Games, breaks, and fun: A microschool is not a mini version of a regular school. There should be laughter, movement, and real-life learning.
The goal is to help children become self-directed learners. They should learn to ask questions, find answers, solve problems, and collaborate. These are the skills that truly matter in life—not rote memorization.
Parent: This honestly sounds too good to be true. Why isn’t everyone doing this already?
Dr. Malpani: Because change is uncomfortable—and institutions resist it. But parents like you are the pioneers. Every revolution begins with someone asking, “What if?”
What if my child doesn’t need homework to learn?
What if a PC and a mentor could replace a classroom?
What if I could bring the world’s best teachers into my living room—for free?
Microschools offer freedom—with responsibility. And once you see the light in your child’s eyes, you’ll never want to go back.
Parent: You’ve inspired me, Dr. Malpani. I’m going to explore this seriously. I may even talk to other parents in my building.
Dr. Malpani: That’s the spirit! And you don’t have to do this alone. We’re here to help. In fact, we’ve created a simple starter guide that walks you through every step—setting up your own Teach to Earn digital learning pod.
💡 Take matters in your own hands by starting your own digital learning pod — your children will not get a second chance! 👉 https://www.teachtoearn.in/start-a-teach-to-earn-learning-pod/