People often recoil when we suggest letting individuals decide their children's education. They worry: "How will they know what to teach? What if they get it fundamentally wrong?" But have we considered applying these concerns to another fundamental right: food?

Imagine if food faced the same regulations as education. We'd see prohibitively expensive private restaurants alongside attempts to standardize and democratize through technology, disregarding cultural and regional preferences. This mirrors the current education system, where children are fed the same "educational meal" regardless of their background, needs, or interests. State-mandated menus dictate daily portions, offering two "rotis" and rice to a seven-year-old irrespective of whether they were in Nagaland, Nagpur, Noida, or Nalgonda. This uniform approach, no matter the spending, stifles individual needs.

The solution, while seemingly radical, becomes almost intuitive when reframed: Nurture your own, educate your own. This isn't a novel concept.

John Holt, a renowned education reformer, inspired millions of families with his book "Teach Your Own", advocating for children's natural curiosity and innate desire to learn. Traditional methods, however, with their emphasis on standardized testing and conformity, can often extinguish this spark.

Community homeschooling and microschooling offer an alternative. These models empower families to actively shape their children's education, tailoring it to their strengths, interests, and learning pace.

Community homeschooling involves families collaborating on lesson plans, co-teaching, or simply providing a supportive network for socialization and peer interaction.

Community microschools, on the other hand, are small, independent schools with 10-20 students from various families. They often adopt a flexible, project-based approach, allowing students to delve deeper into their passions while fostering collaboration and critical thinking.

The benefits are multifaceted:

• Individualized Learning: Children receive education tailored to their specific needs and learning styles, leading to deeper understanding and a love of learning.

• Flexibility: The curriculum can be adapted to incorporate real-world experiences, community involvement, and student interests, making learning more engaging and relevant.

• Stronger Community: These models foster a sense of belonging and connection among families, creating a supportive network for both children and adults.

Concerns regarding structure and qualified instruction are common. However, community homeschooling and microschooling often involve experienced educators, parents with diverse expertise, and access to online resources and learning communities. Additionally, these models can equip children with valuable life skills like self-directed learning, problem-solving, and adaptability, crucial for 21st-century success.

Community-based education isn't about isolation; it's about celebrating diversity and collaboration. It empowers families and communities to nurture the unique potential within each child, fostering a love for learning that extends far beyond the classroom walls. We must remember John Holt's words:

"It's not that I feel that school is a good idea gone wrong, but a wrong idea from the word go. It's a nutty notion that we can have a place where nothing but learning happens, cut off from the rest of life." ― John Holt