Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy expressed his belief that “coaching classes are not the ideal method to help children perform well in exams.” During the launch of Paul Hewitt’s 13th edition of Conceptual Physics in Bengaluru on Monday, Murthy voiced his concerns regarding the influence of coaching centres on the education system.
“Many students attending coaching classes don’t pay proper attention to their teachers in school,” he remarked. He added that parents, often unable to assist their children academically, turn to coaching centres as a quick-fix solution.
Expressing concern over the rapid growth of the coaching industry in India, Murthy pointed out that the increasing demand for tuition highlights a deeper issue within the country’s education system. The reliance on coaching classes, he noted, suggests that rote learning is being prioritized over genuine understanding.
Murthy emphasised that rote learning should not be the focus of education as it stifles critical thinking and problem-solving skills. “The purpose of education is to learn how to learn,” he asserted, stressing the importance of fostering skills like observation, analysis, and hypothesis testing to tackle real-world problems.
He recalled an interaction earlier this month with a 12-year-old who asked him for a “cheat sheet” to become like him. Murthy’s response was simple: “I don’t want you to become like me. I want you to become better than me for the greater good of the nation.”
He elaborated on the essence of education: “First, observe. Second, analyze why a difference is occurring. Third, propose a hypothesis. And finally, have that hypothesis tested and verified by others to ensure it holds true.”