University of Real Idiot,ladhak

"True education is the Harmonious development of Physical, Mental and Spiritual Powers"- Ellen G White.

Has anyone wondered ? How it would have been if there was real Education System Based on Practical life. Where students will know what they are knowing in Schools. Students will be taught to solve real life problems, rather than just paper and pen based solving the problem.

Such character has been depicted in one of the Bollywood movie (3 idiots,the link for the movie is given in the comment section). In which actor Amir khan as Phunshuk Wangdu plays the role of developing such institution. He played the significant role in depicting the Modern Education System. He introduced a school, where student were taught to solve real life problems. School was governed by the students. The Entire management of the school was in the hands of the student.Now the question arise ! Does such an education system exist ? And Who is the original character of Phunshuk Wangdu ?Answer is simple. Yes, such education  system exist. And a person named by Sonam Wangchuk from Ladhak  is the founder  such Schools.

Ladhak, a wilderness beyond the Himalayas. It is bitterly cold over there. Temperature varies between 35 to -35 degree Celsius. The cultural heritage, the way of dressing and languages varies from the rest of INDIA. The community is small and minority, In context of the large Country (INDIA).  Due to all these obstacles people over there face many problems. Particularly, for the children as they learn in school. They find difficulty in understanding , what were being taught in school. It’s because of language barrier.The language used in Education system completely varied and isolated from the regional language.

Sonam Wangchuk, while studying  (Mechanical Engineering) understood and experienced the condition of education over there. Due to some circumstance, He had to pay in order to pursue his mechanical engineering. For which, he used to conduct coaching class for the students. The coaching class not only help Sonam Wangchuk to pursue his Education. But also, changed his Life. He discovered that many talented and intelligent student were failing their exams. In those days, around 95% used to fail in their class 10^th  exams. He found that,  in number of schools the pass percentage was 0%.

Sonam Wangchuk, clearly understood that it wasn’t the student failing. But it’s the Education System that was failing. He then decided that the country (INDIA) ,and Ladhak in particular do not need one more Mechanical Engineer. Instead, what it did need was an Improvement in the Education System.

After completing his engineering. He returned back to Ladhak and started a new initiative with like-minded people, which is know as SECMOL (STUDENTS EDUCATION AND CULTURAL MOVEMENT OF LADHAKA). And also took another initiative called “Operation New Hope” through the partnership of Local government and Local people.

After the SECMOL  Movement, there was wonderful change in student’s performance. The pass percentage, which was stuck at 5% improved steadily to 55% in 7 years. And slowly it went up to 75 %. It was a good news, but the story doesn’t end there. The rest 25% who were still stuck.

Sonam Wangchuk, introduced a  different kind of school. Which is located at ladhaki desert on the bank of river Indus  (which is shown in the movie 3 idiot). This school is different and unique. There is no electricity over there, it completely relies on solar energy. Whether it’s a heat, electricity or energy are supplied by the solar energy. One of the interesting thing is that it doesn’t require exam performance or a distinction to get an admission in the school. Instead  failing in the exam is the criteria to get an admission in the school. Here the teaching system is different, like if student is not understanding  a subject. Then,the student is made to understand in the he understands.  It involves the method of learning by experience.Students are the governor of the school, a leader is chosen by an election after every 2 month. Who plan and rules the school till the next leader is chosen.

Reviewed By Israel Hembrom.