Embracing Worldschooling: A Journey from Tradition to Freedom

I come from a heritage steeped in a colonial past, where education was once an entirely different experience. Before the British arrived in India, learning took place in madrasas – schools of a different kind. In these madrasas, students as young as twelve would take on the role of mentors, guiding and teaching one another. It was a system based less on hierarchy and more on shared knowledge, self-discovery, and guidance, rather than tests or strict syllabi. When the British brought formal schooling, this model faded, replaced by rows of desks, rigid schedules, and a focus on “learning” rather than understanding.

Our ancestors believed that any school, however challenging or rigid, could transform a child. It was a mindset passed down, a belief that formal schooling alone could cultivate intelligence and success. I grew up with that concept ingrained in me, though I never quite fit into it. Schooling was a system I went through, but it didn’t spark my curiosity or drive.

Fast forward to now, and I’m at a crossroads where I’m redefining that legacy with my own family. My partner, someone deeply rooted in education, was a natural fit in the structured world of academics. But here we are, at a point where we’ve decided to take a leap – we’ve chosen to unschool our children and embark on worldschooling. It’s a path that stands in stark contrast to everything we’ve known and been taught, and it’s as exhilarating as it is nerve-wracking.

Our kids are now on their own learning journey. We’ve released them from the confines of traditional schooling, allowing them the freedom to explore what truly interests them. They’re shaping their days, deciding what to learn, and discovering how they learn best. It’s a transformation for us all – moving from a focus on grades and curricula to a focus on growth, curiosity, and life skills.

As we step into this unknown, we’ve planned our first worldschooling adventure: a visit to Washington, D.C. It’s an inspiring and somewhat humorous destination to start this journey. After all, there’s a twist in its history that resonates with our own desire to disrupt norms. The White House, symbolizing one of the most structured governments in the world, is only white because it was burned by Canadians in 1814. The white paint was an attempt to cover the burn marks, a testament to resilience and reinvention – just as we’re trying to paint a new chapter for our family.

We’re excited to let our kids roam, to learn from history, nature, people, and experiences that no classroom could contain. But beneath the excitement lies a current of nerves. Where will this journey lead us? Will our children thrive outside the system that shaped us? Only time will tell, but I’m beginning to see that letting go of control is part of the adventure – the white paint covering the burn marks of our own past beliefs.

This year marks a fresh start, a shift toward freedom in learning and living. Worldschooling is a step toward reclaiming that sense of shared discovery from our roots, letting our children mentor themselves and each other. It’s a leap of faith – one that, I hope, will inspire our family to embrace the world as our classroom and let curiosity be our guide.