The Day Education Took to the Streets - A Parent’s Take on Schools and Showmanship

I’ve always had a soft spot for teachers who make learning feel alive. Back in my school days, I’d sit in class, hooked on a lesson, wondering why it had to end after 45 minutes. Couldn’t we keep going as long as the subject sparked joy, as long as I got it? Those teachers—rare gems who cared more about understanding than the clock—shaped my view of what education should be. Fast forward to today, as a parent, I’m left asking - where did that spirit go?

My kids go to Westin, a school I picked for its promise of a 360-degree education—academics, yes, but so much more. Still, they drag their feet every morning, and I can’t help but wonder why. Then, the other day, I stumbled across a scene that made me question not just their school but the whole system.

Nipunya’s Street Spectacle

Near Ramakrishna Circle, I saw Nipunya—a local school—literally take education to the streets. Bullock carts lined the road, draped in colorful banners touting “summer cards” for camps where kids could learn new skills. Teachers, staff, and a handful of parents and students milled about, while local folk performers and a band filled the air with sound. Parents huddled under whatever shade they could find, dodging the relentless sun. It was vibrant, chaotic, and loud—bullocks shifting uneasily, musicians playing off-key, the crowd more curious than captivated.

At first glance, it looked festive. But the longer I watched, the more it felt like a marketing stunt. The bullock carts weren’t there to teach kids about rural life; they were props. The folk dances and band weren’t about culture—they were bait to draw eyes. Even the teachers I recognized, some whose past I know well, stood there preaching values that didn’t quite match their own stories. It was like a coyote swearing it loves chickens but would never eat one. I couldn’t shake the feeling - this wasn’t education. It was a performance.

When Marks Become the Message

What really got me was the subtext. Schools like Nipunya plaster hoardings with claims of being “number one” because a student scored top marks in the state. Since when did one kid’s rank define a school’s worth? I see parents—myself included at times—falling for it, brainwashed into thinking education is a race for percentages, not a journey to understand the world. Those bullock carts? They weren’t carrying lessons; they were peddling a promise of summer camps that sounded great but felt like an eyewash. A way to pack the roster, not enrich young minds.

I get it—schools need students to survive. But when did they become industries first and learning spaces second? The best schools I know don’t need street shows or billboards. Their results, their legacy, speak for themselves. People flock to them because of what they do, not what they say. So why was Nipunya out there, turning education into a circus?

What Is Education, Anyway?

This got me thinking what’s education supposed to be? To me, it’s knowledge gained through experience—grasp the basics, feel the subject, apply it to life. Marks? They’re just a byproduct, not the goal. Yet here we are, watching schools sell themselves on scores and spectacle. That day, the musicians played without rhythm, the bullocks looked miserable, and the crowd just gawked. Even the school’s van drivers seemed torn—half amused, half shy—while announcements blared over the noise. It was a mess, and not the inspiring kind.

I’m not saying Nipunya’s all bad. Maybe they’re just caught up in a trend. But trends like this? They’re everywhere—schools shouting their greatness instead of showing it. Is this just an Indian thing, with our love for flair and rankings? Or do schools worldwide pull similar stunts? I don’t have the data, but I’d bet good money the pressure to “sell” education isn’t unique to us.

A Parent’s Plea

My take Is, we’ve lost the plot. Education shouldn’t be a noisy parade or a race to the top rank. It’s not about filling summer camps for profit or trotting out kids as proof of success. It’s about lighting that spark I felt as a kid—the one that made me want to stay in class forever. My kids deserve that. Yours do too.

So, what’s the fix? Maybe it starts with us parents. What if we stopped chasing hoardings and started demanding substance—schools that teach real skills, real values, not just how to ace a test? What if we called out the showmanship and asked for something deeper? I don’t have all the answers, but I know this I’d never run a school like a roadside drama. Education’s too precious for that.

What do you think? Have you seen schools turn into marketers where you live? Or am I just an old soul ranting about a lost ideal? Drop your thoughts below—I’d love to hear them.