In the remote hills of Katapatthar village, Uttarakhand, Suraah emerges as more than just a school it’s a learning journey. Founded by Shrey and Jyoti Rawat, it rejects traditional classrooms in favour of hands-on, student-centred education for tribal children. Here, nature is the classroom: children learn mathematics through folding leaves, examine air pressure using balloons and strings, explore poems by walking through forests, and engage in theatre to nurture expression.

Begun with pilot programmes involving 60 children and 30 parents, the approach emphasises creativity, curiosity and local culture. Students are encouraged to ‘colour outside the lines,’ make mistakes, ask ‘stupid’ questions all of it building confidence.

For just ₹300/month per child, the school serves nursery to Class 5, and promises more: plans are underway to adopt/transform more hill schools. As education gaps deepen (including nearly 1.17 million children identified as out of school in India), models like Suraah offer an alternative path rooted in place, imagination, and belonging.