In a significant educational shift, the LEAD Group's large-scale initiative to abolish rote learning in India exceeds 15 million pledges.
The "Freedom From Rote Learning" School Movement, launched by the LEAD Group in 2025, is a nationwide initiative aimed at revolutionizing India's education culture. This movement seeks to replace rote memorization with real learning, promoting deep, conceptual understanding, critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, and collaboration skills among students [1][2].
The movement has already garnered over 15 million pledges from teachers, students, parents, and school leaders across India, making it the country's first large-scale campaign dedicated to ending rote learning and aligning with the vision of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 [1]. The NEP 2020 emphasizes developing thinkers, not just test-takers, preparing students effectively for the challenges of the 21st century [1].
India has nearly 248 million school students enrolled in about 1.5 million schools, many of whom, especially in smaller towns and cities, struggle with low confidence and inadequate skills due to rote learning. The LEAD Group’s initiative aims to foster a learning environment where students gain conceptual knowledge and practical skills, thereby boosting their confidence and preparing them for future careers [1].
The LEAD Group, India's leading Learning Systems company, is present in 8,500+ schools across 400+ towns and cities. Since its founding in 2012, the group has been committed to delivering an international standard of education in India [3]. The movement symbolizes a crucial cultural shift — from a focus on memorization to nurturing lifelong learners and critical thinkers. It is the first truly nationwide effort to tackle rote learning and build an education system that supports innovation and problem-solving skills at scale [1][4].
The founders of LEAD Group, Sumeet Mehta and Smita Deorah, are committed to transforming school education in India. Mehta stated that the movement proves India is ready to move from rote to real learning, while Deorah stated that the movement aims to nurture curiosity, creativity, and competence in every learning space [1]. The LEAD Learning System helps partner schools provide holistic education, equipping students with skills for 21st-century careers and life [5].
The movement combines research-backed curriculum and pedagogy with cutting-edge technology to enhance student learning outcomes and teacher effectiveness. For more details about the Freedom From Rote Learning Movement, visit freedomfromrote.com [6]. The LEAD Group has been instrumental in setting new benchmarks in school education in India and continues to inspire the next generation of learners and educators.
[1] LEAD Group Press Release, 2025 [2] The Hindu, "Freedom From Rote Learning Movement Launched by LEAD Group", 2025 [3] Business Standard, "LEAD Group: Transforming School Education in India", 2022 [4] Economic Times, "The LEAD Group's Nationwide Effort to End Rote Learning in Schools", 2025 [5] Education World, "LEAD Learning System: Empowering Students for the Future", 2023 [6] freedomfromrote.com, "The Freedom From Rote Learning Movement"
- The "Freedom From Rote Learning" School Movement, launched by the LEAD Group in 2025, is a significant cultural shift in India, aiming to replace rote memorization with real learning, fostering lifelong learners and critical thinkers.
- The movement aligns with the vision of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which emphasizes developing thinkers, not just test-takers, preparing students effectively for the challenges of the 21st century.
- The LEAD Group, through its Learning System, combines research-backed curriculum, pedagogy, and cutting-edge technology to enhance student learning outcomes and teacher effectiveness, focusing on personal growth, education-and-self-development, and promoting learning in line with 21st-century careers and life.
