Introduction to Dreamtime Learning

Introduction to Dreamtime Learning

Imagine stepping into a time machine and going back 50 years. You enter a classroom, and you see a teacher lecturing at the front, students sitting in neat rows, diligently copying notes from a blackboard. Now, step back into the present—walk into most schools in India today, and you’ll find… not much has changed.

Because let’s be honest—schooling in India hasn’t changed much. Sure, we have smartboards instead of blackboards, and digital notes instead of chalk dust, but the core of our education system is still stuck in the past.

The world outside, however, has transformed beyond recognition. AI is writing code, robots are performing surgeries, and billion-dollar businesses are built from laptops in coffee shops. Work, communication, and life itself have evolved. But schools? They remain frozen in time, teaching children the same way they did decades ago—textbooks, exams, and memorization over actual learning.

This disconnect is the fundamental flaw in India’s education system. Schools were once designed to produce disciplined workers for factory jobs—obedient, punctual, and able to follow instructions. But today’s world doesn’t need workers who can simply follow instructions. It needs problem-solvers, innovators, and creators.

The Problem: Schools That Don’t Teach What Really Matters

Let’s be real: most students in India don’t love school. Not because they don’t want to learn, but because the system makes learning feel like a chore rather than an exciting journey of discovery. Despite all the technological advancements, global shifts in work culture, and AI-driven innovations, Indian schools are still stuck in the past.

The Harsh Truth: What’s Broken in Indian Schooling:

‍The Rote Learning Epidemic: Our schools were built for an industrial-age economy—one where students were expected to memorize, obey, and follow a fixed path. But the world doesn’t work like that anymore. Creativity, adaptability, and independent thinking are the most valued skills today, yet we continue to force children into a system that prioritizes "what to think" instead of "how to think." In India, over 50% of students in grade 5 can’t read a grade 2-level text, according to the 2023 ASER report. Why? Because we teach for exams, not for understanding.

No Focus on Emotional Intelligence: Let’s talk about something that most Indian schools completely ignore—emotional intelligence (EI). While students in Finland learn self-awareness, stress management, and interpersonal skills as part of their curriculum, our kids are still being graded on their ability to cram textbook definitions. But here’s the truth: The real world values emotional intelligence as much as technical skills. Studies show that 85% of career success comes from EI, not IQ. Yet, our schools never teach students how to handle failure, resolve conflicts, or even build meaningful relationships.

Outdated Curriculum for a Fast-Changing World: Our students are still learning concepts from decades ago, while AI is replacing jobs, blockchain is redefining finance, and the gig economy is growing. Why aren’t we teaching kids about entrepreneurship, coding, or financial literacy? Even worse, we still glorify streams like engineering and medicine while ignoring the rise of creative careers. A student with a passion for design, music, or gaming is often told, "That’s not a real career." Meanwhile, the world’s top YouTubers, designers, and digital creators are making millions.

One Teacher, 50+ Students: With a shortfall of 3 million teachers in India, classrooms are overcrowded, leaving little room for individual attention. How can a single teacher give personal feedback to 50+ students in a 40-minute period? Learning isn’t supposed to be a mass production process—it should be tailored to each child’s strengths, weaknesses, and interests.‍

40% of Schools Still Lack Digital Infrastructure: Education today should be borderless and technology-driven. But in India, 40% of schools don’t even have internet access. While students around the world are learning through interactive AI-driven platforms, millions of Indian children are still dependent on chalkboards and printed worksheets.

While the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 promised flexibility and digital integration, the execution has been sluggish at best. India risks falling behind if its schooling system doesn’t evolve.

How Dream Time Learning is solving it?

That’s where Dreamtime Learning comes in—not by making small changes, but by fundamentally rethinking how children learn. At its core, Dreamtime Learning operates on three distinct verticals, each designed to bring education into the 21st century while keeping students at the heart of it all.

Let’s Break Each of Them Down:

Dreamtime Learning School – Online School

‍Not every child learns at the same speed or in the same way—so why should education be one-size-fits-all? ‍

Self-Paced & Personalized – Students shape their own education based on their strengths, interests, and aspirations.

Anywhere, Anytime Learning – Whether in a metro city or a small town, access to quality education is no longer limited by geography.

Current Scale & Structure – The online school has 300 learners and operates in two time slots—morning and afternoon. It serves students from India, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia. Each session runs for about 3 hours with an annual fee of INR ~60,000-70,000.

‍Dreamtime Learning Hub – Micro-Schools

For students who thrive in hands-on, interactive learning environments, Dreamtime Learning Hub offers an alternative to traditional schooling.

Learning by Doing – Small, focused learning spaces where students create, experiment, and collaborate rather than just passively absorb information.

Ability-Based Grouping – Instead of age-based classrooms, students are grouped by skill level and interest, ensuring no one is left behind or held back.

Premium Model & Expansion Costs – The first Dreamtime Learning Hub in Hyderabad currently has 48 learners. Since each micro-school requires INR 2.5-3 crore for property setup and transformation, this is a CapEx-heavy initiative aimed at revolutionizing on-ground learning.‍

Powered by Dreamtime Learning – Curriculum

Change doesn’t have to be disruptive. Dreamtime Learning collaborates with 60+ existing schools to seamlessly integrate technology, modern teaching methods, and neuroscience-backed learning strategies.

Blended Learning Models – A mix of digital tools and traditional teaching ensures better engagement and retention.

Cost-Effective Innovation – Schools don’t need to overhaul their infrastructure—just smart, strategic upgrades to improve student outcomes.

Why Will Indians Enroll in Online Schooling?

Why Gen Alpha Will Dive into Digital Learning (and Why Parents Will Cheer Them On)

Scalable, Sustainable, and Built for the Future:

Unlike traditional education models that require massive investments in infrastructure, Dreamtime Learning is lean, efficient, and tech-powered.

What Sets Dreamtime Learning Apart?

Minimal Capital Investment – Aside from the Hyderabad Micro-School, Dreamtime keeps costs low, making growth sustainable.

Technology-Driven Operations – From HR to student engagement, automation ensures a smooth, cost-effective experience.

Smart Use of Learning Management Systems – A robust LMS platform supports up to 10,000 learners, significantly reducing development and operational costs.

Higher Profitability & Retention – Unlike traditional EdTech models that struggle with high CAC (Customer Acquisition Cost) and high churn, Dreamtime Learning follows a school model rather than a post-school prep model. This ensures a high Lifetime Value (LTV) for students, leading to greater profitability.

More Than Just Academics – With its unique curriculum and individualized attention, Dreamtime Learning allows students to thrive in just 3 hours of daily classes, leaving ample time for skill development, socializing, and autonomy in learning.

Lina Ashar’s Vision for Better Learning

For over three decades, Lina Ashar has been on a mission to change the way children learn—not by tweaking the old system, but by redefining it entirely. From founding Kangaroo Kids and Billabong High International School, which reshaped early and K-12 education in India, to now leading Dreamtime Learning, her journey has always been about putting curiosity, creativity, and real-world skills ahead of outdated rote learning.

She doesn’t just believe in education—she believes in learning that actually matters. Neuroscience, behavioral science, and technology are at the core of her approach, ensuring students aren’t just memorizing but thinking, adapting, and thriving. Lina’s impact isn’t measured in the number of schools she’s built, but in the thousands of minds she’s helped rewire for a future that demands more than just good grades.

Looking Ahead: Why We Believe in Dreamtime Learning

The pandemic didn’t just disrupt education—it exposed its flaws. With classrooms moving into homes, parents got a first-hand look at what their children were learning (and often, what they weren’t). It became clear that the traditional system is too rigid, too standardized, and too disconnected from real-world skills. Kids weren’t struggling with learning itself; they were struggling with the outdated way it was being delivered.

This realization has sparked a massive shift in expectations—parents today demand personalized, engaging, and future-ready education. And yet, the Indian edtech industry, despite its rapid rise, has failed to meet this need. The last two years have shown that purely digital learning isn’t the answer. Families want more than just online classes; they want a balanced, immersive learning experience that blends the best of technology with the depth of real-world interactions.

That’s exactly why Dreamtime Learning is different. It’s not just another edtech company. By combining AI-driven personalized learning, micro-schools, and a global online school, Dreamtime is bridging the gap between digital convenience and offline depth. The soon-to-launch Dreamtime World School is another step in this direction, ensuring that students, no matter where they are, get an education that isn’t just about exams, but about life itself.

At Gruhas, we back ideas that resonate with the evolving aspirations of Indian families. As it expands across India, it blends gurukul-inspired personalized learning with modern technology, creating an experience that is deeply rooted in Indian values yet designed for a global future.

Because education should grow with the child—adapting like a river, shaping like a sculptor, and evolving with the times..