Schools out!
Strap (Page 1): City kids explore learning beyond textbooks as Bangalore parents turn to flexible, interest-driven education models
Strap (Page 8&9): Alternative education in Bangalore is booming, offering children freedom, personal attention & value-based learning experiences
Byline: Bhuvana Shridhar
Schooling is changing. The blackboard-and-bench routine of six-hour days, where students passively listen to teachers, is giving way to alternatives. Parents today are seeking new models that promise flexibility, creativity, and a break from rigid structures.
And, as in many things, Bangalore is leading the charge. The city has quickly become a trend-setter, embracing alternate education with open arms. From homeschooling to online and open-schooling, families now enjoy a buffet of choices to chart their children’s academic journeys.
To meet this surging demand, countless new platforms and setups have sprung up across Bangalore’s neighbourhoods and digital spaces. Never before has the city offered so many options to parents willing to step away from the mainstream.
Against this backdrop, Our Bangalore set out to uncover what’s fuelling this shift—and, more importantly, what pathways lie ahead for those choosing to herald a new era of learning. Keep reading…
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‘It’s flexibility beyond textbooks’
Sharmane Joseph, Parent
OB: What made you decide to homeschool your children?
Sharmane: I wanted them to enjoy the freedom of a self-paced, interest-driven learning style. Homeschooling also allowed me to weave in moral and religious aspects that are important to our family. It gave us the flexibility to go beyond textbooks and shape a curriculum that reflected our values and priorities.
OB: Was it difficult to convince others about your decision?
Sharmane: Absolutely. The biggest challenge was explaining to family and friends that I wasn’t neglecting my children’s education. Many assumed homeschooling meant a lack of seriousness. I had to keep clarifying that it’s just a different way of pursuing the same goal as every other parent—quality education. Of course, there were moments when the enormity of the decision weighed on me, but I always returned to the conviction that this was right for my children.
OB: What benefits have you seen in your children’s learning journey?
Sharmane: They’ve had the chance to truly enjoy their childhood. There’s no peer pressure, bullying, or the anxiety of constant exams and homework. Instead, they follow standards set by our family, have a wholesome and fun learning experience, and explore subjects without fear. They’re currently pursuing academics through the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS), which aligns with their long-term goals.
OB: How did you ensure they got enough social interaction?
Sharmane: Socialisation came quite naturally. As a freelance teacher, I took them along to classes in apartments, where they made friends. Living next door to my brother and his children also helped. Most importantly, the three of them, with their diverse interests, built their own little social world at home. Beyond that, they interacted with neighbours and vendors while shopping, took part in Sunday school, and joined some of my group classes in public speaking and art. These everyday experiences shaped them as much as formal learning.
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‘Families are seeking balance’
Sangeetha Samson & Annie Justina, Founders of BlazingFlame Academy
OB: What led you to start your academy?
Sangeetha & Annie: The idea came from our own experiences as parents. We saw our children weighed down by long school hours, homework, and endless tuitions. Childhood felt lost in the process. We wanted to create an environment where learning celebrates curiosity, individuality, and creativity. Our academy was born from that vision—an academy that blends academic rigour with value-based education, nurturing confident, well-rounded individuals.
OB: How do you ensure social interaction in an online environment?
Sangeetha & Annie: People assume online learning is isolating, but we’ve found the opposite. Children often log in early just to chat with friends, and stay on after classes to play games or swap stories. Sometimes they even teach each other crafts or new skills. These organic interactions foster friendships that often extend beyond the classroom, while instilling values like collaboration, kindness, and respect. For many of our students, these friendships are a highlight of their day.
OB: What tools make your online classrooms effective?
Sangeetha & Annie: We use a mix of technology and creativity. Our Learning Management System (LMS) gives students and parents access to lessons, assignments, and progress reports. Teachers use interactive whiteboards and apps like Kahoot to bring lessons alive, while younger students publish their own digital books. It’s about keeping academics strong while nurturing responsibility, self-expression, and teamwork.
OB: Why do you think more parents in Bangalore are turning to alternatives like yours?
Sangeetha & Annie: Families are seeking flexibility and balance. With online learning, children don’t waste hours commuting, nor are they overburdened with packed schedules. Parents realise that this model doesn’t mean compromising on academics—if anything, it opens up time for music, sports, travel, or family life. Bangalore, with its openness to new ideas, has been quick to embrace this shift.
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‘Gurukulam seeks to decolonise education’
Yamini Dalal, CEO of Agastya Gurukulam
OB: How does homeschooling differ from conventional models?
Yamini: Our approach is rooted in the ancient gurukulam tradition, adapted thoughtfully for today’s learners. We are a samskritam medium gurukulam that seeks to decolonise education and reconnect children with their Bhartheeya roots. The set-up is informal yet traditional, offering both online and offline programmes that extend naturally into homeschooling.
OB: What inspired you to start this model in the first place?
Yamini: We felt the current education landscape was fast losing its “Indianness”, often imitating Western systems at the cost of our own. Our vision was to bring back the depth of Bharathiya knowledge systems, while giving children a nurturing environment free from unnecessary stress and peer pressure. our gurukulam was born out of this need to balance tradition with modernity.
OB: What technologies & resources support students in their learning?
Yamini: Over six years, we’ve refined our methods to blend tradition with digital innovation. We use live classes, recorded sessions, learning management systems, and collaborative projects. AI now helps us design resources, worksheets, and notes. Interactive tools—like digital whiteboards, story-based modules, and quizzes—make lessons lively, while parents receive structured curriculum support to guide their children effectively.
OB: Do you see homeschooling becoming a viable choice for parents in Bangalore?
Yamini: Yes, without doubt. More families are realising that conventional schooling often brings peer pressure and unhealthy influences. Homeschooling allows parents to tailor content to each child’s pace, interest, and capability—while keeping education grounded in cultural roots and values. It’s a path that many in metro cities are now choosing with confidence.
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‘It builds independence & responsibility’
Florentina Lobo, Parent
OB: What prompted you to transition your children to online homeschooling?
Florentina: The high fees of international boards and limited personalised attention in traditional schools made us explore alternatives. While teachers do their best, the system often prioritises completing the syllabus over truly nurturing students. Additionally, our family’s frequent travel—my husband works abroad and I often travel for my non-profit role—made regular school routines difficult. Homeschooling gave us the flexibility to travel without compromising our children’s learning.
OB: How has homeschooling impacted your children’s learning experience?
Florentina: It’s been transformative. The flexibility allows us to structure a schedule that works for our family, giving the kids more time for extracurriculars alongside academics. Teachers provide personal attention, making it easier for them to grasp concepts without pressure from peers or judgment. The IGCSE (see box) curriculum, which is concept-based rather than theory-heavy, aligns perfectly with our approach.
OB: How has online homeschooling affected your children’s academic performance?
Florentina: The combination of personal attention, flexible schedules, and a concept-driven curriculum has helped them perform better. They’re motivated to learn because the system respects their pace, interests, and learning style, rather than treating education as a race.
OB: What other benefits have you noticed in choosing this model?
Florentina: Beyond academics, homeschooling encourages a balanced lifestyle. The kids engage in arts, sports, and hobbies that were previously squeezed out by long school hours. It also allows our family to maintain cohesion despite travel, and the children develop independence and responsibility in managing their studies.