On September 9, Infosys founder NR Narayana Murthy voiced his criticism of coaching classes, stating that they are an ineffective method for students to pass exams. He argued that students who need coaching are often those who do not pay adequate attention to their classroom teachers.
Murthy made these comments at the launch of Paul Hewitt’s 13th edition of “Conceptual Physics” in Bengaluru. He highlighted that the surge in coaching classes stems from students not engaging effectively with their teachers, and that parents, lacking the expertise to assist their children, may perceive these classes as valuable.
The coaching industry is experiencing significant growth, valued at over Rs 58,000 crore annually and expanding at a rate of 19-20 percent per year. Additionally, the online coaching sector is projected to reach $2 billion by next year, growing at a rate of over 17 percent annually.
Murthy criticized the emphasis on rote learning in India, suggesting that it stifles critical thinking and problem-solving skills. He emphasized that the goal of education should be to “learn to learn,” focusing on analytical thinking and problem-solving rather than memorization.
Reflecting on a 1993 workshop on innovation at Infosys, Murthy shared a lesson he taught an employee named Chandrapal about the essence of innovation. He described innovation as addressing three fundamental questions: improving speed, reducing cost, and enhancing quality. He explained that even simple tasks, like cleaning a table, can be seen as opportunities for innovation by seeking incremental improvements.
