For decades, we’ve been told that the education crisis is due to a shortage of teachers. But what if the real problem isn’t the lack of teachers — it’s the lack of imagination? In this transformative dialogue, Dr. Malpani explains why AI tutors are redefining education by offering personalized, patient, and data-driven guidance that traditional classrooms cannot match. Teach to Earn learning pods blend technology and human empathy — where AI handles academic guidance while parents, grandparents, and community members provide emotional support. This partnership creates a joyful, self-paced, and inclusive learning experience that can scale anywhere in India. The future of learning is not about replacing teachers — it’s about freeing them to do what they do best: inspire.
Parent: Dr. Malpani, everyone keeps saying that our schooling system is broken because we don’t have enough teachers. Is that really the problem?
Dr. Malpani: That’s the convenient excuse — but it’s not the real problem. The truth is, education doesn’t suffer from a shortage of teachers; it suffers from a shortage of imagination.
We’re still trying to fix a 19th-century system with 21st-century tools. Instead of asking, “How can we get more teachers?” we should be asking, “How can we help children learn better — with or without teachers?”
Technology has changed every other industry, but education is still stuck in the chalk-and-talk model. The problem isn’t that there aren’t enough teachers — it’s that the system refuses to redefine what “teaching” means in an age where AI tutors can coach, guide, and personalize learning far better than any classroom teacher ever could.
Parent: That’s a strong statement. Are you really saying that AI can replace teachers?
Dr. Malpani: Not replace — transform. Let me explain.
Traditional teachers are limited by time, attention, and human bandwidth. A teacher in a classroom of 40 students can’t possibly give each child the personal attention they deserve. But an AI tutor never gets tired, never loses patience, and never forgets where a student left off.
It adapts to each learner’s pace, identifies weak spots, provides instant feedback, and celebrates small wins. It’s like having a personal coach who works 24/7 — for every subject.
Parent: But don’t we need the human touch in education? Can an AI really understand emotions and motivation?
Dr. Malpani: Absolutely — and that’s where our model shines. The Teach to Earn pods combine the best of both worlds.
The AI tutor provides personalized, high-quality academic guidance. The human adults — parents, grandparents, and community members — provide emotional support, encouragement, and discipline.
It’s a beautiful partnership:
- The AI handles the intellectual scaffolding.
- The humans provide the emotional scaffolding.
We’ve flipped the traditional model on its head. Instead of one teacher trying to teach many children, we have many adults supporting children who learn together — with AI guiding their academic journey.
Parent: Interesting. So, what exactly happens in these Teach to Earn pods?
Dr. Malpani: Imagine a small community classroom — no blackboards, no grades, no lectures. Just curious kids, each at their own computer, exploring math, science, language, or coding through guided digital lessons.
These pods are teacher-free but not supervision-free. There’s always an adult present — often a parent, a grandparent, or a retired professional — who ensures that the environment stays safe and respectful.
The AI tutor acts as the learning coach. It tracks each child’s progress, adjusts the difficulty level, recommends new topics, and even documents what they’ve learned.
And the best part? Children learn from and with each other — what I call peer-to-peer osmosis. When a child explains a concept to another, both grow smarter.
Parent: That sounds a lot like self-learning. But can children really stay motivated without a teacher pushing them?
Dr. Malpani: You’d be amazed at what happens when you give children freedom, respect, and trust.
In traditional schools, learning is something done to children. In our pods, learning is something done by them.
When curiosity drives the process, motivation becomes intrinsic. The AI tutor helps by setting achievable goals, rewarding progress, and giving instant feedback — something most school systems fail to do.
And remember, the community structure itself keeps children engaged. Younger kids look up to older ones, and older students feel proud when they help others. It’s a natural, self-reinforcing learning ecosystem.
Parent: I love that idea of community learning. But why involve parents and grandparents? Isn’t that just adding more work for them?
Dr. Malpani: On the contrary — it’s a blessing.
Every child comes with a built-in support team: two parents and four grandparents. They’re already invested in the child’s success. They just need a framework to channel that energy productively.
Our pods give them that opportunity. Parents and grandparents become facilitators, mentors, and cheerleaders — not taskmasters. They don’t have to teach algebra or grammar; the AI tutor takes care of that. They simply supervise, encourage, and celebrate learning.
It’s a win-win:
- Children feel loved and supported.
- Adults feel purposeful and involved.
- Communities grow closer.
Parent: But won’t schools see this as a threat?
Dr. Malpani: Some might, because it challenges their monopoly on education. But smart schools will see this as an opportunity.
They can integrate Teach to Earn pods after school hours — extending learning into the community while generating additional income and goodwill. Remember, schools are not meant to be gatekeepers of knowledge — they should be enablers of learning.
We’re not replacing schools. We’re evolving them.
Parent: I see your point. But isn’t screen time a big concern for children?
Dr. Malpani: It’s a valid concern — but let’s differentiate between mindless screen time and meaningful screen time.
Our pods use ApnaPCs, which come with built-in student safety software that blocks distractions and filters out inappropriate content. The AI tutor ensures that the child’s screen is always a window to learning, not a black hole of entertainment.
When technology is used purposefully — under adult supervision — it becomes a tool for growth, not a threat.
Parent: You make it sound so simple. But can such a model really work across India, especially in rural areas?
Dr. Malpani: Absolutely — and that’s the beauty of it. The Teach to Earn model is scalable, affordable, and community-powered.
All it takes is a small space, a few ApnaPCs (which cost just ₹9,999 each), and a handful of motivated adults. No need for fancy infrastructure or high-paid teachers. The technology does the heavy lifting; the community provides the soul.
Rural India doesn’t lack talent — it lacks opportunity. Our pods create that opportunity right where children live.
Parent: So, what does the future of education look like to you?
Dr. Malpani: It’s a future where every child has an AI tutor, every community has a digital learning pod, and every parent becomes part of the educational journey.
We’ll move from teaching classes to nurturing individuals.
From one-size-fits-all to one-size-fits-each.
From dependency on teachers to empowerment through technology.
That’s how we democratize education — and give every child the freedom to learn at their own pace, in their own space.
Parent: I have to admit, this sounds like the kind of schooling I wish I had!
Dr. Malpani: (smiling) Exactly. It’s never too late to fix education — but it starts with parents like you. The system won’t change itself. It’s up to us to build better learning spaces for our children.
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/