Alakh Pandey of Physics Wallah Urges Lower GST on Education and Non-Profit EdTech on Teacher’s Day
New Delhi, India – On Teacher’s Day, Alakh Pandey, the founder and CEO of Physics Wallah, called for the government to reduce the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on the education sector and suggested that edtech companies should operate as non-profit organizations.
In an interview, Pandey highlighted the need for increased government spending on education, noting that the current allocation of 3-3.5% of GDP is insufficient compared to many developed nations. He pointed out that India imposes an 18% GST on education, whereas China imposes only 6%, including private education.
Pandey emphasized that the education sector in India is underfunded, with the country spending only 3-3.5% of its GDP on education. He compared this to Brazil, which invests more in education. He suggested that edtech companies should follow China’s example and operate as not-for-profit organizations, prioritizing education and healthcare over profit.
Pandey also discussed the New Education Policy (NEP), praising it but stressing the need for proper implementation. He highlighted the importance of practical skills, a focused curriculum, and effective execution.
He also addressed the issue of a shortage of qualified teachers in India, partly due to inadequate pay, with teachers earning between 6,000 to 10,000 rupees per month.
On Teacher’s Day, Pandey advised aspiring teachers to prioritize quality and content, focusing on enhancing each student’s potential. He emphasized that teaching is a noble yet challenging profession and should not be seen as a fallback option.
When asked about the success of Physics Wallah, Pandey explained that his platform always prioritized education over revenue. He believes that the key to success lies in prioritizing education over sales, focusing on student feedback, improved results, and growth in the number of students.
Pandey also spoke about the role of technology in education, stating that technology should serve as a tool to empower education, not the other way around.
On a personal note, Pandey shared a story about his favorite teacher, Sohail Tayyab, who taught him physics in class 11 without charging any fees. Pandey credited him with helping him clear IIT and start his coaching center. He expressed his gratitude by sharing a recent encounter with Tayyab, where he took a picture with him.
Doubts Revealed
Alakh Pandey -: Alakh Pandey is the founder and CEO of Physics Wallah, an educational platform that helps students learn subjects like Physics and Chemistry.
Physics Wallah -: Physics Wallah is an online education platform in India that provides video lectures and study materials for students preparing for exams like JEE and NEET.
GST -: GST stands for Goods and Services Tax. It is a tax that people pay when they buy goods or services in India.
EdTech -: EdTech means Educational Technology. It refers to the use of technology, like computers and the internet, to help people learn.
Teacher’s Day -: Teacher’s Day is a special day celebrated in India on September 5th to honor teachers and their contributions to society.
Non-Profit -: A non-profit organization is one that does not aim to make money for its owners. Instead, it uses any money it earns to help achieve its goals, like providing education.
New Education Policy -: The New Education Policy (NEP) is a plan by the Indian government to improve the education system in India. It includes changes to how students are taught and how schools are run.
Sohail Tayyab -: Sohail Tayyab is a teacher who Alakh Pandey, the founder of Physics Wallah, admires and is grateful to for his guidance.
