Inside the Niche Charm of Indian Micro Schools

Some parents are seeking alternatives to mainstream schools and prefer curriculum that is hyper-personalized

- Neha Bhatt

It all began with an unassuming poster, pinned to a wall at a local Bandra library during the pandemic: "Tired of Zoom classes? Presenting Comini Learning Pods." It led curious parents to Priyanka Rai and Sai Gaddam, who had then just moved to Mumbai and were looking for alternative schooling options for their own children. As they began to speak to interested parents, the idea of a learning pod (where a small group of children learn together) turned into something bigger but small enough to suit their needs: Comini Microschool.

"Our goal was to build a neighborhood school, not a fancy building. We wanted to create a space where parents could feel confident enough to pull their children out of traditional schools and explore community-led education," says Rai, who acquired a diploma in early education and co-founded the school with her husband, a neuroscience and tech expert, in February 2022. They were inspired by Finland's educational model, which is known for its emphasis on play and personalized learning.

Spread across a cheerful, 1,500 sq. ft sun-filled space, with tall glass windows and playful corners, Comini looks more like home than a school. That's the idea. From 9am to 4pm, five facilitators lead 25 children through a mix of guided sessions and a routine filled with free play and spontaneous interactions.

On a bright Friday morning in February, for example, three girls, aged 6 to 9, were busy preparing a puppet show, complete with handmade tickets. Others were busy with books with a facilitator in a cozy reading room. Another group had gone on an overnight farm visit. For Rai and Gaddam, Comini personifies this kind of flexibility, where children can pursue their creative interests freely through exploration.