The man behind the inspiration for the blockbuster hit 3 Idiots was Sonam Wangchuk! Yes, he is the real-life Phunsukh Wangdu who Aamir Khan portrayed in the film. You might remember his massive school with cute Ladakhi kids, yes that was real as well. SECMOL, a unique school, has been open for more than three decades for underprivileged kids and failed students. It is a place where you are not a parrot version of academic learning but a practical version of learning.
Arey Bhaiya All Izz Well At Sonam Wangchuk’s SECMOL
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Sonam Wangchuk’s Students’ Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh (SECMOL) didn’t play by the rule book and set boundaries while building a healthy and modern education system. SECMOL started in 1988 and strived to focus more on practical theories with social skills, creativity and creative thinking rather than bookish academic learning. This is going against the conventional methods of schools and institutions where rote learning is applauded.
Wangchuk’s school focuses its curriculum largely on the cultural and diverse subjects of Ladakh like social issues, science, public speaking, flora and fauna care and recreational subjects like dance, music and art which celebrates the rich cultural heritage of Ladakh. Here, practical learning and knowledge hold greater importance than academic knowledge.
If you have failed 10th grade or couldn’t complete it due to some uncertain reasons, SECMOL doesn’t care about it. Because they will strive to pass you with flying colours without any fee! Even for students who experienced some gap in their education. Another unique aspect of this school in Leh is that it is managed by a student council with proper elections!
Sustainability Level Is At Peak Here!
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The practical teachings and learning don’t stop with the students. Sonam Wangchuk’s massive 20-acre SECMOL campus is functional on sustainable methods of living, starting from the construction of the buildings from locally available materials to the utilisation of 300 days of sunlight for solar energy in extreme weather conditions of Leh.
Even though the school is at an altitude of 3500m with temperate touching -30°C in winter, they have provision for renewable resources to keep the school running. SECMOL also focuses students on participating in daily chores which enables a sense of responsibility and self-sufficiency on an individual level and as a group to run the campus smoothly.
Candidates who apply here should be fluent in the Ladakhi language as the curriculum helps to keep the culture and heritage of Ladakh alive.
Where: SECMOL Campus, Leh, Jammu and Kashmir, India
Timings: Only on Mon, Wed & Fri at 8 AM – 3 PM
Cover Image Courtesy: Facebook/SECMOL
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