Homeschooling is steadily gaining traction in India, with more families opting to educate their children outside the traditional school system. The shift has now gone viral after an Instagram reel by content
creator Shobhit Bakliwal highlighted why many Indian parents are choosing this alternative path.
In the video shared on Instagram, Bakliwal claims that “thousands of families” have decided not to send their children to school, citing concerns such as rote learning, bullying, long commutes and exam pressure.
“They tried the system, it failed them. It only offered rote learning, bullying, endless commutes and exam pressure that crushes joy. So they flipped it,” he said in the clip, adding that homeschooling is “completely legal” in India.
How It Started?
According to him, the COVID-19 pandemic played a pivotal role in accelerating this transition. When schools shut down and children were forced to study from home, several parents realised that home-based learning worked better for their children. Many, he claimed, chose not to send them back even after schools reopened.
Bakliwal also pointed out that homeschooling is no longer limited to affluent families with access to private tutors. Middle-class households, he said, are increasingly exploring the model to focus on practical skills such as coding, entrepreneurship and content creation rather than textbook memorisation. “So what are these kids doing? They’re building apps, starting YouTube channels, learning coding and business while other kids sit in assembly,” he said.
He further noted that institutions such as the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) support alternative education pathways, while international boards like Cambridge Assessment International Education offer IGCSE examinations that homeschoolers can appear for as private candidates.
Calling it a “growing trend,” Bakliwal suggested that a new industry is emerging around homeschooling, including curriculum providers, tutors, online platforms and parent-training services. “If you can help these parents homeschool better, you can make your generational wealth with it,” he concluded.
Internet Users Share Experiences
The reel triggered a lively discussion in the comments section, with several users sharing personal experiences and opinions.
“Socialisation isn’t learning to sit quietly with 25 same-age kids. Real social skills are built in real life, with mixed ages, adults, and the community, and with responsibility. School groups by age. Life doesn’t,” read a comment.
Another shared, “I was a teacher for twelve years in Delhi (CBSE) and Dubai (IGCSE) and I chose to homeschool my son, quitting my job and we didn’t regret this decision even for a day. Education is more than learning alphabets and numbers. Literacy, number sense, application and life skills make all the difference. I train parents too in how to homeschool, channelising your child’s strengths based on their personality. Because each child is different and they don’t learn the same way as others…”
“So true Shobhit. As an educator from India who homeschools her own daughters, I’ve seen how this shift is about freedom as much as academics. Families today travel, run businesses, work remotely, and live across time zones. Learning doesn’t have to pause for that. When education is personalised and rooted in real life, children grow wherever they are,” said a user.
An individual stated, “It’s a growing trend now? My parents homeschooled my siblings and I almost 25 years ago (and counting). And it was the best decision.”
“Same here. We love homeschooling our 3 kids. Schools are wasteful in India,” echoed a few.
While supporters praise homeschooling for flexibility and personalised learning, some raised concerns around structure, standardisation and social exposure.
