Nimmo Village in Ladakh Turns Itself into a School, Proves Education Is Beyond Marks and Exams

National News: We often hear parents proudly saying, "My daughter scored 90% marks," or "My son stood first in class." Whether we realize it or not, many of us also become part of this competition. Remember the movie Three Idiots? That famous dialogue—"Life "is a race"—and "the school Ranchoddas started? But is scoring high marks really the sign of true education?

A small village in Ladakh, named Nimmo, has chosen to reject this idea. With just about 1,000 residents, Nimmo is proving that education is much more than books, marks, and exams. The people here believe that life is not a race, and education should not be about who comes first. Instead of building a traditional school, they’ve turned the entire village into a classroom.

The Man Behind the Idea

The person behind this inspiring change is Chetan Angchok, a retired schoolteacher. After retiring in 2022, he dedicated himself fully to this project. His vision? Learning should be joyful and activity-based, not limited to textbooks and rote memorization.

He says that everything children need to learn is already around them—from science and math to language and environmental studies. The village itself holds valuable traditional knowledge. So, instead of regular homework, children here get assignments based on real-life activities.

The goal is to learn by doing—whether it’s weaving, drawing, painting, or even managing farms and water canals.

Recognized by the Government

This unique idea has also caught the attention of the government. Officials from the Ladakh administration and the central Education Department are supporting this project. Recently, a fair was held in the village where children showcased their creativity. The officials were so impressed that they want to expand this model to other villages too.

Learning Real-Life Skills Early

While kids elsewhere watch cartoons, the children in Nimmo are organizing mock elections using real procedures like ballot papers, just like national elections. According to the National Education Policy (NEP), there should be no exams until second grade—a principle this village follows.

Children are also learning how to use a traditional wheat-grinding mill, farm, and solve real-life problems. They gain knowledge through storytelling by elders and learn by observing and doing.

Chetan says their aim is to provide “Education for ”life”—not just for marks. The focus is on developing thinking ability and problem-solving skills. He believes that one day, scientists may emerge from Nimmo village.

No Exams Until Primary Level

As per NEP guidelines, no exams are needed till Class 2, and Nimmo follows this. They only conduct annual exams in November. The idea is to take away the fear of exams and make them something children look forward to instead of stress about.

When Students Cried for Their Teacher

Before starting this project, Chetan Angchok was a teacher at a primary school in Spituk, Ladakh. He introduced several new methods there—like creating subject-specific classrooms for math, Science, and Languages, where students change classrooms based on the subject they wish to learn.

When he retired, students cried and hugged him, showing just how much he meant to them.

Nimmo village is showing the world that education can be more meaningful, practical, and joyful. This Ladakhi village is proving that life isn't about coming first—it's about learning, growing, and living fully.