Infosys co-founder NR Narayana Murthy, speaking at the launch of the 13th edition of Paul G. Hewitt’s book Conceptual Physics in Bengaluru, emphasized that children do not need to attend coaching classes. According to Murthy, only students who do not pay full attention to their teachers in school may require extra coaching. He added that relying on coaching merely to pass exams is a misguided approach.
Addressing the importance of coaching institutes for gaining admission into prestigious institutes like IIT and NIT, Murthy explained, “Most students attending coaching classes fail to listen attentively in school, and parents who may not be able to provide academic support turn to coaching centers as the sole solution.” He underscored that the focus of education should be on cultivating observation, analysis, and hypothesis-testing skills to address real-world challenges. “The goal of education is to learn how to learn,” Murthy stated, advocating for critical thinking and understanding over rote memorization.
Murthy also shared his personal experience with his children, Akshata and Rohan Murthy, revealing that he and his wife, Sudha Murthy, would dedicate three hours daily to teaching them. Between 6:30 pm and 8:30 pm, the family would avoid television and focus on creating a conducive study environment. Following this, they would continue studying from 9 pm to 11 pm. He emphasized the responsibility of parents in fostering a disciplined environment, stating, “Parents cannot watch movies while expecting their children to study.”
As India works to strengthen STEM education, Murthy highlighted the importance of world-class resources, citing Conceptual Physics by Paul G. Hewitt as a prime example. The book, which emphasizes conceptual understanding and real-world applications, serves as a valuable tool for making physics more relevant for students.
