Pathashaala - Palar Center for Learning

Pathashaala, the youngest of the Krishnamurti schools, embarked on its journey in August, 2010. Nestled in Elimichampet village (80 km from Chennai), the school strives to bridge the urban and rural divide. It aims to foster individual autonomy and encourages intelligent coexistence with nature.

For its inception, Pathashaala drew on the thirty-six years of experience of The School KFI in the city of Chennai, practices in other KFI schools, and sensible approaches elsewhere. It began the first academic year in 2010-11 with a small group of middle school boys and girls.

Today, with the landscape transformed and with around 120 boys and girls, Pathashaala offers residential education to students from grades V-XII. For a comprehensive overview of Pathashaala, watch the Introduction Film, the Virtual Tour and the Presentation made for The Circle group. Explore more about Pathashaala in its e-brochure available here.

About US

Words of Appreciation

Kalki, Alumnus 2019

Pathashaala has provided me with the canvas, colours and brushes and I have hardly painted anything; just a few brush strokes in one corner. The painting is yet to be done; the strokes could go any way along the course of my life. I don't know what the painting will be. I'm trying to free myself... to be able to give my all to the present.

Sanjana, Alumna 2017

One of the strongest learnings from Pathashaala was to observe and explore my own thinking and, in parallel, to relate it to fellow human beings. Through contemporary studies, culture class, open house, assemblies, etc., I have been able to confront myself in the many scenarios I have experienced. Understanding who I really am and accepting that is what the space provides for one to learn.

Abhiram, Alumnus 2018

I value the abundant physical and mental space that was available at Pathashaala.

Charan, Alumnus 2018

Currently, in a world that is fragmented by radical ideologies and periodic misinformation, it has never been more important to have the capacity for critical thinking and a wider, expansive knowledge and perspective. If Pathashaala has taught me anything, it’s that.

Rishika, Alumna 2019

Taking charge of my own learning made me realize how much more I could be doing beyond the very minimal, or the expected. I began to refer to books other than the given textbooks as I tried to understand certain topics more deeply. I wrote more than required for the English Language classes as I realized that understanding a language is not just about meeting exam requirements, but more about understanding communication and its relevance in our daily lives. To me, owning one’s learning was synonymous with taking responsibility for one’s own life. The program respects and trusts the LE’s intelligence and allows it to be exercised for oneself. This brings about a sense of ownership in the LEs, which transcends to spaces other than the classrooms.

Navya, Alumna 2017

The word "responsibility" took on a new meaning for me when I started Class 11 (AS level). Our Autonomous Learning Programme ensured that from the very beginning, one should be able to observe the unobservable and take special care to notice the overlooked. Autonomous Learning, at first, seemed like an upgrade of the self-study method I had been used to since Class 5. My first learning upon entering the A Level programme was that Autonomous Learning required taking ownership of one’s own academics. In the process of supervising my own learning and setting my own goals for the day, I found the meticulous and perfectionist side of myself that I did not know existed. CTPs and regular discussions helped reinforce and sustain the feeling of onus, especially during moments of brief hesitation and self-doubt.

Alumnus

Personally, I feel that Pathashaala is a very good school because it fosters an environment that is highly accepting of all who attend and is quite inclusive. The school strives to cultivate and nurture curiosity, an inquiring mind, sensitivity towards others and nature, as well as a profound understanding of global conditions.

Well-wisher

K’s philosophy is the foundation of the school. The management of one's experiences is in their own hands. Moreover, K said, 'One who asks the question will often find the answer by himself/herself. This requires an attitude polished by curiosity.'

Educator-Learner

They are called Learner-Educators (LEs). We learn a lot from our students. Time and again I have been pleasantly surprised by the simple and useful solutions from discussions with LEs.

P A T H A S H A A L A

Palar Center for Learning - KFI

Admissions and Openings

Information Desk

Admin Building

Learning Space

Assembly Hall

Art Center

Dormitories

Game Field

Dining Hall

Cow Shed

Upcoming Courses