When you hear the words 'alternative schooler', what comes to mind?

Did you think of a wild, uncontrollable child running around? Or maybe a child prodigy who finished his PhD at age 16… and went on to become a brilliant musician AND mathematician AND master chef? 

Even though a growing proportion of families all over India are choosing alternative education, it remains shrouded in a number of misconceptions and fears.

Alternative Schoolers are the 'Sharma ji ki betis' for most of us. As a parent, I might be terrified by the idea. I might even secretly admire them. But alternative schooling for my child? Definitely not.

Which is why we're here today to dispel the 8 most common myths around alternative schooling. Not only that, but we'll also discover practical ways to apply alternative schooling principles to your life. 

So let's get started!

Myth 1: Alternative schooling is only for geniuses or 'problem children'.

The goal of alternative schooling is to provide an education aligned to the individual learning needs of each child so that they go on to lead fulfilling lives — whether it is excelling in their studies, getting into their dream university, or getting involved in meaningful work. This is in sharp contrast to conventional schooling which operates on the premise of 'one size fits all'. There is a tendency to 'normalise' children with the result that those who do not fit fall through the cracks. 

Having said that, many 'problem children' often thrive in an accepting environment that is better suited to their individual needs and end up being acknowledged as geniuses! Thomas Edison, for one, was considered unfit for regular school and learnt in an alternative schooling environment. So did Rabindranath Tagore. 

This means that while an already 'brilliant' child could find more space for their emotional and academic needs which helps them excel, a 'problem' child could get the space to express themselves and find what they are 'brilliant' at, and an 'average' child could do the same. 

Further, these children could be in the same classroom, interact and learn from each other, and even be friends! The idea is to explore and LEARN, rather than label.

The Takeaway: 

The beauty of alternative schooling is that there is no one size fits all approach—just like each child is unique!  Being in tune with your child and their education is a first step towards finding the form of alternative education that works best for you.

Myth 2: Alternative schooling lacks academic rigour or accreditation.

Alternative schoolers have the option to learn at their own pace and direction, which often results in more streamlined effort and academic excellence. 

With approaches like homeschooling and unschooling, learning can happen anytime, anywhere and with a rigour that works for your family.

The flexibility of an alternative curriculum allows children to make immediate real-world connections to their learning which will serve them all their lives.

A number of alternative learners become self-directed at a young age, having a clear idea of personal and academic interests, and have been known to self-study for exams in their teenage years. Many alternative schoolers, in India and globally, have gone on to attend prestigious colleges (including IIT, MIT and Harvard). Many others have headed directly into successful careers.

The Takeaway: 

Alternative curriculums have the advantage of drawing from multiple sources. If you are homeschooling, there are curriculums available online, many of them free, that can be fully customised. This is a wonderful opportunity to make the best of context-based, hands-on learning (such as learning about math while buying vegetables and building a treehouse, chemistry while cooking, or geography while exploring).

Alternative schools also have their own unique curriculum which are often based around a guiding academic philosophy (such as Microschooling or Waldorf).

Myth 3: Alternative schooling is expensive and only for free spirits.

Alternative schooling exists in many shapes and sizes and, most importantly, is customisable to your needs.

The Takeaway:

You could choose to not leave your city and job, or pack up your life (including children) into a Maruti van or a rural farm— or something in between. With alternative schooling you can find a method that best suits your family and lifestyle.

Not every child wants to live amongst nature in a remote village. Not every parent can afford to leave the work and comfort of the city. And that's just fine. What matters most is that you play a more active and collaborative role in your child's life.

Myth 4: Alternative schooling is only suitable for young children.

However, alternative education for older children can be just as meaningful— if not more so— than at a younger age, and this need not come at the cost of academics either. We now have two options in India that allow alternative schoolers to complete high school on academic par with their traditional schooled peers.

The Takeaway:

Children can take an alternative path at any age, and integration into the mainstream at any point is possible— it can be almost seamless or require a level of strategy based on the path chosen.

At the higher secondary level (10th, 11th and 12th), alternative schoolers in India have the choice to appear for certification by the NIOS(National open system) or Cambridge IGCSE, both of which are internationally recognised and rigorous programs. Many alternative schoolers also successfully align with a mainstream school for 10th or 12th to prepare themselves for college. 

Myth 5: Alternative schooling is unsafe compared to traditional schools.

Alternative schooling can be safer than traditional schooling, as they often encourage a more collaborative approach. Children have more autonomy and less fear of authority, and tend to be more perceptive and speak up more often, raising issues that make them uncomfortable or scared to the adults around them. They also tend to be more self-aware and less likely to put themselves in dangerous or unhealthy situations with peers.

The Takeaway: 

While it is crucial to screen any environment your children are spending a majority of their time in for safety (whether at home or in school), providing a safe environment is often an identifying feature of a good alternative or homeschool setup. Most importantly, pay attention to what your child is telling you.

Myth 6: Alternative schooling hinders social development and makes kids 'weird'.

In alternative schooling, socialisation becomes more intentional. Children are able to connect with others based on shared interests and socialise far beyond their peer age group and economic sector.

Given that alternative schooling generally does not foster harsh environments where children must conform or mask their true selves, this self-expression can be perceived as 'weird' or 'odd' as compared to the more 'docile' children in mainstream school, who have 'typical' interests.

However, children not having to suppress their true selves from an early age and being encouraged to discover what they like for themselves, rather than being influenced by societal standards, usually results in more self-aware, well-rounded adults.

The Takeaway:

If you homeschool or unschool, socialising might have to be more purpose-driven especially at first. Joining external classes, going for organised events such as hikes and camping trips and attending unschoolers' meet-ups are all great ways to make new friends and connect with old ones.

If you join a microschool or another form of alternative school, it is likely that much of this socialisation will happen naturally.

Myth 7: Alternative schooling limits career options to unconventional paths. 

In fact, alternative schoolers are more likely to have a strong sense of conviction and purpose in any career path they choose, and are usually passionate, visionary individuals keen on making a mark in the world. Many alternative schoolers are not in mainstream careers precisely for this reason, but there are plenty of others who become brilliant doctors, engineers, teachers and founders of successful companies.

The Takeaway:

As an alternative schooler, your child's career isn't decided at age 18, 15 or even 5– you can take steps towards it at any time by exploring and going deep into subjects that interest you. A child aiming to be a veterinarian could start learning the sciences in the context of medicine, and fit their studies around volunteering hours at a local hospital or shelter— gaining experience in the process. If your child studies with a certifying board for their 10th and 12th exams, they can also apply to mainstream colleges. Some colleges even have a direct provision for homeschooled candidates, evaluating them based on study/work experience or other criteria.

Myth 8: Alternative schooling doesn't prepare kids for the "real world".

Alternative schooling teaches skills like adaptability, autonomy, compassion, acceptance, and a great deal of inventiveness, all of which are crucial for our uncertain times. Even when alternative schoolers might struggle initially if having to abruptly integrate into a mainstream system (such as secondary school, university or a mainstream career), they almost always have a sense of direction that allows them to overcome this and unexpected challenges/hurdles which would leave mainstream schoolers feeling lost.

A classic example of this was the Covid-19 global pandemic. Many alternative learners were less negatively affected by the lockdown as they already had comfortable relationships with their family, used the time to work on new projects, and were accustomed to non-traditional forms of learning including self-directed and online education.

To summarise: alternative schooling isn't weird or elite. It's accessible and can have multifold benefits that span way beyond academics alone.

In fact, the name 'alternative' is misleading — it's the option of choice for many families who have chosen to put learning and their children first. 

Did you believe any of the myths in this article? What are some myths you have heard about alternative schooling? Explore our site and blog to learn more about the possibilities of alternative education, and feel free to reach out if you have any specific questions! We're here to help you find the educational path that works best for your unique child and family.