Government to curb coaching culture, promote holistic education

The Education Minister, Dharmendra Pradhan, speaking at Agenda Aajtak Shiksha ki Pariksha, reiterated the government’s commitment to reducing students’ dependence on coaching centres. Emphasising the need for a holistic education system, he outlined plans to integrate innovative, technology-driven learning solutions while fostering global academic exchanges. 

Pradhan highlighted the government’s strategy to phase out the “coaching culture” dominating the Indian education landscape. He revealed that AI-driven tools like those developed at IIT Kanpur would enable interactive learning and help students prepare for exams independently. These systems aim to democratise access to quality education and eliminate the stress induced by coaching dependency.

Discussing the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which recently marked five years since its introduction, Pradhan acknowledged the challenges of nationwide implementation. He noted that the NEP has already laid the groundwork for significant changes, including the internationalisation of education and a multilingual approach across institutions.

The government’s ambitious plans for the next two decades include transforming India into a global education hub. Pradhan shared that Indian universities are working towards establishing campuses overseas, in regions like Africa and Abu Dhabi. Domestically, initiatives like Bhartiya Bhasha Diwas, celebrating 13 Indian languages, promote linguistic and cultural exchange.

The introduction of international campuses, such as Southampton University in New Delhi and the upcoming Johns Hopkins University campus, reflects India’s intent to offer world-class education opportunities at home. These initiatives are set to enhance India’s academic reputation globally while exposing students to diverse educational practices.

With a focus on holistic development, global integration, and multilingual learning, the education ministry aims to shape a future-ready generation, equipped to meet the aspirations of an evolving world.