By 2028, the school, which now teaches up to class 10, hopes to have expanded to include class 12. To facilitate the shift to the CBSE pattern, specific training sessions for teachers are being held in addition to the ongoing growth of infrastructure.
After more than 20 years of waiting, Druk Padma Karpo School, a school in the frigid Ladakh desert that is well-known as “Rancho’s School” from the Aamir Khan film 3 Idiots, has finally obtained CBSE membership. Prior to Ladakh’s designation as a Union Territory in 2019, the institution had been attempting to obtain the approval. A number of local schools, including Druk Padma Karpo, remained connected to the Jammu and Kashmir State Board of School Education (JKBOSE) even after the division.
An earlier article from 2023 states that after multiple unsuccessful attempts, the school finally obtained the long-awaited No Objection Certificate (NOC) from JKBOSE. Still, it took more time to finish the affiliation process with CBSE.
According to Mingur Angmo, the principal of the school, “despite having the necessary infrastructure, outstanding results, and creative teaching methods, we didn’t get the NOC despite trying for several years.”
To apply for affiliation, schools must get a “no objection certificate” from the state board in accordance with CBSE regulations. Foreign institutions must also obtain comparable documentation from Indian embassies or consulates.
Going beyond conventional education
Druk Padma Karpo School was founded 24 years ago and is named for the renowned scholar Mipham Pema Karpo (1527–1592). “White Lotus” is what “Padma Karpo” signifies in the native Bothi language. The school maintains a sustainable approach appropriate for the severe desert climate by fusing modern amenities with traditional Ladakhi architectural features.
Long before the New Education Policy (NEP) called for comparable changes, Druk Padma Karpo School was pushing for innovative and activity-based teaching strategies. “It will be simpler for us to integrate our play-way methods with the structured curriculum now that CBSE has also reformed its pedagogy following the NEP,” Angmo stated.
By 2028, the school, which now teaches up to class 10, hopes to have expanded to include class 12. To facilitate the shift to the CBSE pattern, specific training sessions for teachers are being held in addition to the ongoing growth of infrastructure.
Angmo had previously emphasized that in addition to standard topics like English, Hindi, and the Sciences, the school taught pupils leadership, problem-solving, and life skills through a variety of extracurricular activities.
The Idiotic Iconic Wall
After appearing in 3 Idiots, the school gained widespread recognition, especially for its “iconic idiotic wall,” which was included in the film’s iconic ending sequence. Despite being moved within the school in 2018 to avoid disturbing students, the wall is still a well-liked tourist destination today.
But occasionally, we allow people to watch if there is an instructive event taking place, such as a mock election,” Angmo explained.
The wall was restored using native Ladakhi wooden structures instead of the original bricks after it was devastated during the terrible 2010 flash floods.The Significance of CBSE Affiliation for Students
According to Principal Angmo, pupils will have more opportunities both domestically and internationally as a result of the CBSE affiliation.
“Our students’ transition to higher education will now go more smoothly. We want to serve as a model for how conventional teaching approaches can coexist with contemporary, regimented educational frameworks,” she continued.
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