The Indian education system is not particularly known for its hands on learning methods. The education culture still lauds rote learning and book based learning methods. One social enterprise is thinking about learning methods a bit differently. Hyderabad based Butterfly Fields recently won the case study competition themed “Democratizing Innovation: A Game Changer for Inclusive Growth” as a part of the 3rd Global Innovation Conference held by the All India Management Association.

Image courtesy 'The Hindu'

Butterfly fields is one such organization that looks into education with a lens of design thinking. They design innovative curriculum’s, hands-on activities and propagate conceptual teaching practices. They strongly believe that a person’s career choice should be based on their passions and interests and not on what the existing school structure tends to provide. Their motto is learning by doing. The idea is to make children think laterally in a supportive, neutral environment where every child can learn what they are good at. This start-up was started by alumni from prestigious schools like IIT, IIM and NID.

For now, the ways to decimate this kind of education is through summer science camps and is tied to around 25 schools and has reached over 15,000 children. They would also like to tie up with schools for round the year school workshops and then slowly try and integrate their practices into school curriculums. Along with hands on workshops, Butterfly field has other offerings like concept maps, math & science games, curriculum based content development, teacher training, mini science center, e-learning tools and more.

Non traditional schooling practices are becoming more widespread in India and other Asian countries. Focus on problem solving and design thinking is growing so as to create next generation thought leaders. The idea is to create an economy that does not dependent on cheap services for developed nations, but can create innovative companies and services for future growth and prosperity. And it all starts with good education.

Other sources
Times of India Article on Butterfly Fields
The Hindu Article on Butterfly Fields

Barefoot college in Tilonia, Rajasthan, is a system of education that believes in the capability, knowledge and skills of the rural community and trains them further in specialized fields like solar engineering, rain forest harvesting, health and hygiene, wasteland development, and traditional media to name a few.  The education is practical and combines indeginious local methods with specialized engineering techniques to create a system where the students go back to their communities as leaders and experts in specific fields.

Started by a social activist by the name of Sanjit ‘Bunker’ Roy, in the year 1973, the college is designed on simple and practical system of hands on knowledge. The college lays special emphasis on woman and children which are can be seen in the initiatives such as the night school system and the Mahila Samitis.

This is a special place. It learns from the context and people and uses western and local technology to solve problems. It is a place designed for optimum education and maximum returns. This is truly democratic system designed by the people, of the people and for the people. It is successful because of that very reason.