CHARTING A NEW LEARNING COURSE

WE'VE all experienced the traditional school system — a regimented lifestyle that fosters competition and views education as education model merely a means to an end.

WE'VE all experienced the traditional school system a regimented lifestyle that fosters competition and views education as merely a means to an end.

However, a unique community, Space for Nurturing Creativity (SNC), nestled in the serene Himalayas, is challenging this approach by embracing collaborative and non-hierarchical methods of learning.

Located in the picturesque village of Khumera, Rudraprayag district, Uttarakhand, SNC operates near the breathtaking Kedarnath mountains.

This peaceful haven is home to 40 enthusiastic young learners who are being educated through an alternative model that fosters creativity and cooperation.

Founded in 2009, SNC promotes an interconnected, many-to-many learning model where everyone adults and children alike—is both a teacher and a student.

Here, learning happens through open dialogue, without the rigid separations of traditional grade levels, encouraging a non-hierarchical environment.

At the heart of this innovative approach is Archana Bahuguna.

Driven by a passion for social change, Archana's formative years, surrounded by diverse influences, shaped and inspired this creative learning space.

"I grew up in a household where social, political, and spiritual discussions were the norm. My mother, Urmila, was a Zila Panchayat member, while others in our circle were tied to the Sarvodaya movement or seeking spiritual enlightenment in Kedarnath's Trijuginarayan," recalls Archana.