In a quiet village surrounded by green hills and open landscapes, a small school in Katapatthar is redefining what a classroom can be. Learning here is not limited to fall walls or desks. Classes often happen under trees, in nearby fields, and within the natural surroundings that shape daily life.
This unique initiative runs under a programme called Surah, meaning “a meaningful path.” The school blends traditional education with real-life experiences. Nature becomes an active part of learning, turning the environment itself into a living classroom.
The school currently teaches around 70 children from nursery to Class 5. What truly makes it different is its belief that learning should grow from curiosity, participation, and a strong connection with the environment rather than rigid routines.
Teachers here do not act only as instructors. They see themselves as guides who learn alongside their students. Lessons extend beyond books. Children study plants in nearby fields, observe insects, understand seasonal cycles, and even link art forms like mandala designs with mathematical ideas.
English teacher Niranjana Chakravarti says the approach is very different from conventional schooling. “In most schools, learning happens inside classrooms. Here, nature plays a central role. Children do not just stay in the environment—they interact with it, ask questions, and explore freely,” she explains.
The school was founded by Shrey Rawat, who grew up in Vikasnagar in Dehradun district. After seeing how formal education often fails to relate to children’s real lives in hill regions, he imagined a learning model that bridges this gap between education and lived experience.
In 2023, Rawat left city life behind to build a learning space focused on inquiry, exploration, and experiential education. His goal was to create an environment where children learn by doing rather than memorising.
Locals fondly call it the “ulta-pulta” or upside-down school. What appears unconventional at first is actually its greatest strength. Instead of rote learning, students are encouraged to think independently, ask questions, and connect lessons with everyday life.
Teacher Savita Bhatt says traditional education often restricts learning to textbooks, while this model combines academics with the environment. “Students here understand not just concepts but also their real-life relevance. It helps them think deeply, connect ideas, and grow with confidence,” she says.
Students share the same excitement. Paridhi Tomar says the school offers learning opportunities rarely found in rural areas. “We don’t just study subjects. We connect them with nature, and that makes learning interesting and meaningful,” she says.
Another student, Kavya Verma, remembers a lesson on grains conducted directly in the fields. “We observed plants, measured their height, and studied insects around them. It helped us understand the topic much better,” she says.
This small school in Katapatthar presents a powerful example of an alternative education model. Here, learning moves beyond textbooks and is enriched through experience, curiosity, and interaction with the natural world.
As India looks at new ways to reform education, such initiatives highlight an important lesson. When teaching methods evolve, education becomes more than information gathering—it becomes a way to nurture creativity, confidence, and a deeper understanding of life.
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