Vidyakshetra: Bengaluru’s Free School Where Kids Learn by Living

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5 Key Takeaways

• Vidyakshetra is a free, exam-free school in Bengaluru where 157 children learn through hands-on activities like farming, weaving, pottery, music, and science.
• The school’s curriculum blends Indian knowledge systems with holistic development, focusing on body, mind, and spirit, and uses the Panchakosha framework.
• Admissions are based on values and family involvement, not money; the school is sustained by community donations and parent participation.
• Students consistently excel in board exams, but the emphasis is on meaningful learning, creativity, responsibility, and discovering individual passions.
• The Acharya Vidyalaya programme is training educators to replicate this gurukul-inspired model, aiming for 108 centres across India by 2047.

Vidyakshetra: The Free School in Bengaluru Where Kids Learn by Doing
Imagine a school where the day starts not with a loud bell, but with the gentle sound of a flute under the shade of neem trees. Welcome to Vidyakshetra, a unique school on the outskirts of Bengaluru, where 157 children learn for free—and not just from textbooks.
A School Without Exams or Fees
Vidyakshetra was founded by Muneet Dhiman, a former techie who left his job in Germany to pursue his dream of meaningful education. He and his wife, Preethi, spent years visiting schools across India, learning from different teaching methods before starting Vidyakshetra in 2016 with just 13 students. Today, the school receives nearly 1,000 applications every year!
Here, there are no uniforms, no heavy bags, and no stressful exams. Instead, children learn by doing—farming, weaving, pottery, music, and even building with mud bricks. They recite Sanskrit verses, experiment in science labs, and stitch cloth bags. The focus is on holistic development, blending traditional Indian knowledge with modern subjects.
Learning Through Experience
At Vidyakshetra, students aren’t grouped strictly by age. Classes are small, with no more than 16 children, so teachers can give everyone personal attention. Kids of different ages often learn together, helping each other and growing as a community.
There are no tests or rankings, but when students do take board exams, they excel—most score between 85% and 96%. More importantly, they leave with practical skills and a love for learning. Subjects include agriculture, pottery, handloom, music, dance, theatre, science, and languages like Sanskrit, English, and Kannada.
Education Is Free—And Supported by the Community
One of the most remarkable things about Vidyakshetra is that it’s completely free. The school doesn’t charge any fees, and admissions aren’t based on money or background. Instead, families and the community support the school through voluntary contributions and donations. Parents help run the kitchen, organize transport, and even teach sports or special subjects.
Preparing Kids for Life, Not Just Exams
Parents say their children gain much more than good marks—they learn responsibility, teamwork, and how to connect with nature and culture. Alumni often return to help out, and some go on to study at top colleges, inspired to make a difference in the world.
Vidyakshetra’s approach is spreading, with 39 people from across India training to start similar schools. The goal? To create 108 such centres by 2047.
At Vidyakshetra, education is about setting children free to discover their passions and serve society. It’s a place where learning is joyful, meaningful, and truly life-changing.

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Motivate Without Nagging: 10 Easy Ways to Inspire Your Child to Study

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5 Key Takeaways

• Create a structured study routine to build discipline and reduce procrastination.
• Break study goals into small, manageable steps to make tasks feel achievable.
• Use positive reinforcement by celebrating effort and progress, not just results.
• Make learning enjoyable through games, quizzes, and connecting studies to real-life situations.
• Encourage regular breaks and provide a distraction-free study environment to boost focus and motivation.

10 Simple Ways to Motivate Your Child to Study (Without Nagging!)
As parents, we all want our children to do well in school, but getting them to sit down and study can sometimes feel like an uphill battle. The good news? You don’t have to nag or push too hard. With a few smart strategies, you can help your child develop a love for learning and the motivation to work hard. Here are 10 practical tips to get you started:
1. Create a Routine

Kids do best when they know what to expect. Set up a regular study time each day. This helps them build good habits and makes studying feel like a normal part of their day, not a chore.
2. Break Big Goals into Small Steps

Telling your child to “finish two chapters” can feel overwhelming. Instead, ask them to “read three pages today.” Small, manageable tasks are less scary and add up to big achievements over time.
3. Use Positive Reinforcement

Celebrate effort, not just results. A high-five, a kind word, or a short break after a study session can make your child feel proud and motivated to keep going.
4. Make Learning Fun

Turn tough subjects into games, quizzes, or challenges. For example, use flashcards, online quizzes, or even a quick competition to make learning more enjoyable.
5. Connect Studies to Real Life

Show your child how what they’re learning applies to the real world. Use math while shopping, talk about science while cooking, or discuss history during family outings. This makes learning feel relevant and interesting.
6. Be a Role Model

Let your child see you reading, learning, or trying new things. Kids often copy what they see, so your enthusiasm for learning can rub off on them.
7. Encourage Breaks and Movement

Short breaks with stretching or a quick walk can help your child recharge and focus better. It also prevents burnout and keeps their mind fresh.
8. Build a Study-Friendly Environment

Set up a quiet, well-lit space for studying, free from distractions like TV or loud noises. A comfortable environment helps kids concentrate.
9. Teach Time Management

Show your child how to use planners, checklists, or timers. When kids learn to manage their time, they feel more in control and less stressed.
10. Focus on Effort, Not Perfection

Remind your child that it’s okay to make mistakes. What matters is trying their best and making progress. This builds resilience and a positive attitude toward learning.
Takeaway:

Motivating your child isn’t about pushing harder—it’s about making learning meaningful, manageable, and fun. With these tips, you can help your child develop good study habits and a lifelong love for learning!

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OpenAI Gifts 5 Lakh Free ChatGPT Plus Accounts to Indian Teachers: A New Era for Education

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5 Key Takeaways

• OpenAI will distribute 5 lakh free ChatGPT Plus accounts to teachers and students in India over the next six months.
• The initiative is part of the OpenAI Learning Accelerator, launched in India first, aiming to deepen subject understanding rather than just provide quick answers.
• Distribution will be coordinated through the Ministry of Education, AICTE, and ARISE member schools to reach government school teachers, technical institutes, and K-12 educators.
• OpenAI has partnered with IIT Madras for a $500,000 research project on AI in education and will open its first India office in New Delhi later this year.
• An India-specific ChatGPT Plus subscription tier at Rs 399/month with UPI support and the OpenAI Academy AI literacy program have also been launched.

OpenAI Offers 5 Lakh Free ChatGPT Plus Accounts to Teachers in India: What It Means for Education
Big news for teachers and students across India! OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, has announced a massive initiative to give away 5 lakh (500,000) free ChatGPT Plus accounts to educators. This is one of the largest education-focused projects the company has ever launched, and it’s happening right here in India.
Who Gets Access and How?
Over the next six months, OpenAI will work closely with government bodies and schools to roll out these free accounts. The distribution will happen through three main channels:

Government School Teachers: The Ministry of Education will help government school teachers (Classes 1 to 12) get access to ChatGPT Plus.
Technical Institutes: The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) will coordinate with colleges and technical institutes so students and faculty can use ChatGPT to boost their digital and research skills.
Private Schools: ARISE member schools will offer accounts to K-12 educators, letting them try out AI tools in their daily teaching.

Why Is OpenAI Doing This?
This initiative is part of the OpenAI Learning Accelerator, a program that’s starting in India before anywhere else. The goal isn’t just to make homework easier or give quick answers. OpenAI wants teachers and students to use AI to understand subjects more deeply and improve learning overall.
New Leadership and Research Partnerships
To lead this education push, OpenAI has hired Raghav Gupta, former head of Coursera India and Asia Pacific, as Head of Education for India and APAC. He’ll be working with schools, universities, and government organizations to help teachers use AI in practical ways.
OpenAI is also teaming up with IIT Madras for a long-term research project, backed by $500,000 in funding. This study will look at how AI tools like ChatGPT can change teaching methods and help students learn better over time.
More Accessibility and Local Support
Recognizing India’s huge student population—already the largest user base for ChatGPT—OpenAI is making its platform more accessible. They’ve launched a special subscription plan for India at just Rs 399 per month, with easy UPI payment options. Plus, OpenAI is partnering with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology to run the OpenAI Academy, an AI literacy program for students and teachers.
OpenAI will also open its first office in India later this year in New Delhi, showing just how important the country is to its global plans.
In Short
This move could be a game-changer for education in India, giving teachers and students powerful new tools to learn, teach, and prepare for a future where AI skills will be essential. If you’re an educator or student, keep an eye out for updates from your school or college—you might soon get free access to ChatGPT Plus!

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Why Investors Are Ditching EdTech for Brick-and-Mortar Schools

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5 Key Takeaways

• Investors are shifting focus from edtech to traditional offline schools and tuition centers after major losses in the edtech sector.
• Private equity firms see brick-and-mortar education as offering steady, recession-proof demand and attractive profit margins (20–30% EBITDA).
• Scaling physical schools faces challenges like high real estate costs, regulatory limits, and quality control issues, unlike the rapid growth seen in tech startups.
• The move towards 'education minus tech' could improve infrastructure and access but may risk trust and affordability if profit is prioritized over learning outcomes.
• Over $10 billion was invested in India's edtech boom (2020–2022), but enthusiasm for tech-driven education has sharply declined among venture capitalists.

Why Investors Are Now Betting on Old-School Education, Not EdTech
Remember when every other ad was for an online learning app? Just a couple of years ago, “edtech” was the hottest thing in India. Investors were pouring money into apps and digital platforms, hoping to revolutionize how we learn. In fact, between 2020 and 2022, a jaw-dropping $10 billion was invested in Indian edtech startups—more than the GDP of the Maldives!
But things have changed. After the initial excitement, many edtech companies struggled to deliver on their big promises. Some shut down, others laid off staff, and a lot of that investment simply vanished. Now, investors are looking elsewhere for steady returns—and surprisingly, they’re turning back to traditional, offline education.
Why the Shift?
The answer is simple: stability and profit. While flashy apps and online courses promised rapid growth, they often failed to make money. In contrast, brick-and-mortar schools and tuition centers have been around for decades. They offer something investors love: steady, recurring income from fees, and profit margins that can reach 20–30%. Plus, education is something families will always spend on, even during tough times.
Private equity firms are now buying up schools and coaching centers, betting that these “old-school” businesses are safer and more reliable than risky tech startups. The dream of “hypergrowth” through software has faded; now, it’s all about classrooms, communities, and credibility.
But It’s Not All Smooth Sailing
Of course, running physical schools isn’t easy. There are limits to how fast you can grow—real estate is expensive, government rules are strict, and maintaining quality is a constant challenge. Unlike apps, you can’t just “scale up” overnight.
There’s also a risk that if investors focus only on profits, they might cut corners on teaching quality or raise fees, making education less affordable for many families.
What Does This Mean for Students and Parents?
The good news is that more investment in offline education could mean better facilities, more access, and improved infrastructure. But it’s important to watch out for rising costs and to make sure that learning—not just profits—remains the top priority.
In short, the big money is moving away from digital learning and back to the classroom. The next chapter in Indian education might look a lot like the old one—just with a bit more polish (and a lot more investor interest).

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Why Meditation Is the New ABC: How Mindfulness Is Transforming US Classrooms

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5 Key Takeaways

• US schools are increasingly incorporating mindfulness and meditation to help students manage stress, regulate emotions, and improve focus.
• Mindfulness programs like Inner Explorer offer short daily sessions of breathing, movement, and reflection, and are especially important post-pandemic for supporting mental health.
• These practices are particularly vital in communities of color, where access to counselors is limited and mental health challenges are rising.
• Research shows mindfulness can benefit focus and emotional regulation, but results vary depending on program design and age group.
• Mindfulness is becoming an essential skill in schools, taught alongside traditional academics to help students cope with modern pressures and challenges.

From ABCs to Mindfulness: Why US Schools Are Teaching Kids to Meditate
If you walked into a classroom at Roberta T. Smith Elementary School in Georgia, you might be surprised by what you see. Instead of the usual pre-lunch chaos, you’d find third graders quietly lining up, closing their eyes, and tracing their thumbs from forehead to heart. A gentle voice guides them through a meditation called the “shark fin.” This isn’t a one-off activity—it’s part of their daily routine.
So, why are US schools suddenly teaching kids to meditate?
A New Kind of Lesson
Mindfulness, once considered a “new age” idea, is now becoming a regular part of the school day for over a million children in the US. Mindfulness means paying attention to the present moment, on purpose, and without judgment. In simple terms, it’s about helping kids notice how they feel, breathe deeply, and calm their minds.
Programs like Inner Explorer are leading the way. They offer short, five- to ten-minute sessions where students and teachers practice breathing, gentle movement, and reflection. These sessions happen several times a day in over 100 school districts, including Atlanta Public Schools.
Why Now?
The COVID-19 pandemic made things tough for kids. After months of isolation, many returned to school feeling anxious, sad, or stressed. In 2023, the CDC reported that more than a third of students felt persistently sad or hopeless. Experts recommended mindfulness as a way to help kids manage their emotions and stress.
Real Benefits for Real Kids
Students say mindfulness helps them calm down and focus. Nine-year-old Aniyah Woods says it helps her “not stress anymore.” Another student, Malachi Smith, says, “When I calm myself down, I realize I am an excellent scholar.”
Research shows that mindfulness can improve focus, help kids handle their emotions, and support mental health. While not every study finds dramatic results, many teachers and students see real benefits.
A Lifeline for Underserved Communities
Mindfulness is especially important in schools where access to counselors is limited. Black children, for example, have seen a sharp rise in mental health struggles, but often have less support. Mindfulness programs offer a simple, accessible way to help all students, regardless of background.
More Than Just Academics
Today’s classrooms are teaching more than reading and math. They’re helping kids learn how to breathe, reflect, and be present. In a world full of stress and distractions, these skills might be just as important as anything found in a textbook. Mindfulness is quietly becoming a new ABC for the next generation.

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Bihar Students Get Free JEE & NEET Coaching: Physics Wallah Joins Government Schools Revolution

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5 Key Takeaways

• Physics Wallah will provide free JEE and NEET coaching to students in select Bihar government schools, including digital classes and AI-based tools.
• Four other organizations have partnered with Bihar to offer programs in competitive exam prep, English language learning, life skills, entrepreneurship, and job-oriented skilling.
• Bharat Innovation Global will help class 8 students prepare for the NMMS exam, focusing on rural and underprivileged backgrounds.
• Freedom Edu will implement a holistic English language program to improve reading, comprehension, and communication skills in government schools.
• The SGBS Unnati Foundation will offer job-oriented skill development for final-year college students, aiming to connect at least 70% with employment or further education.

Big News for Bihar Students: Free JEE and NEET Coaching Coming to Government Schools!
Great news is on the way for students in Bihar who dream of becoming doctors or engineers! The popular education platform, Physics Wallah, is teaming up with the Bihar government to offer free coaching for JEE and NEET exams in government schools. This means that students from classes 9 to 12 in Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas and Simultala Awasiya Vidyalayas will get top-quality preparation for these tough entrance exams—without spending a single rupee.
What’s Included in the Free Coaching?
Physics Wallah isn’t just giving out textbooks. The support package is impressive:
- Interactive digital classes: Learn from expert teachers through online sessions.
- Practice tests: Regular tests to help you check your progress and get exam-ready.
- AI-based doubt-solving tools: Stuck on a question? Get instant help using smart technology.
- Free access to the Physics Wallah app: All study materials and resources are just a click away.
- Academic progress monitoring: Teachers will keep track of how students are doing and help them improve.
More Than Just JEE and NEET
But that’s not all! The Bihar education department has signed agreements with four other organizations to help students in different ways:
- Bharat Innovation Global will help class 8 students prepare for the National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship (NMMS) exam, especially focusing on those from rural and underprivileged backgrounds. The program will use live and recorded classes in “Hinglish” (a mix of Hindi and English).
- Freedom Edu is bringing a special English learning program to government schools, aiming to boost reading, speaking, and confidence.
- Going to School Fund will teach life skills and entrepreneurship to students in classes 7 to 12, using stories and digital projects.
- SGBS Unnati Foundation will offer job-oriented skill training for final-year college students, including 30 days of classroom sessions and access to an online platform with hundreds of videos and quizzes. The goal is to help at least 70% of participants find jobs, start their own businesses, or continue their studies.
A Big Step for Bihar’s Future
Bihar’s Education Minister, Sunil Kumar, said that over 20% of the state’s budget goes to education, and these new partnerships will bring in new technology and open up more opportunities for students. The government promises to keep a close watch on these programs to make sure they really help students succeed.
With these new initiatives, Bihar is taking a big step towards giving its students the tools they need to chase their dreams—no matter where they come from!

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