Avadh Ojha praises PM Modi’s AI, free coaching push; cautions teachers’ quality for effective implementation

New Delhi, Aug 16 (IANS) Educator Avadh Ojha on Sunday welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s announcement on artificial intelligence (AI) training and free coaching for students, while stressing that the success of such initiatives would ultimately depend on the quality of teachers and effective implementation of government policies.

Speaking in Haridwar, Ojha said the Prime Minister’s initiative was “a very welcome step”, but argued that providing resources alone would not be enough unless India also developed an excellent teaching workforce.

“It is a very welcome step…But Prime Minister, I want to tell you one thing: no matter how much you provide, unless the teachers in this country are excellent, the full benefit will not be realised,” Ojha said.

He questioned the impact of government investments if the country’s best minds continued to move towards other prestigious career paths. “You may provide everything, but if the country’s best brains leave the country, become IAS officers or go to IITs, what will be the benefit?” he asked.

Ojha also criticised the gap between policy formulation and implementation, drawing historical comparisons to make his point.

“I will say one thing that you may not like, but I will say it: your policy is very good, but it is like Muhammad bin Tughlaq’s, it is not being implemented. You should make policies like Alauddin Khalji and Akbar, where the policy is good and the implementation is also good, and also like Emperor Ashoka,” he said.

“I am telling you, follow these three people, Akbar, Alauddin Khalji and Emperor Ashoka, and you will be counted among the greatest Prime Ministers in the history of this country,” Ojha added.

Earlier on Saturday, addressing the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort on Independence Day, Prime Minister Modi announced plans to create a network bringing together digital public infrastructure, teachers and educators to provide free coaching to students preparing for various examinations.

PM Modi said the initiative was aimed particularly at easing the financial burden on poor and middle-class families, who spend large amounts on coaching.

“The competition surrounding coaching classes has become a huge burden for middle-class families,” Modi said, adding that the government wanted to help families save “thousands of crores of rupees” spent on coaching.

On the future of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), Ojha said the emergence of a youth-led organisation was a welcome development but advised its members to bring experienced people into an advisory role.

“This is a very good thing. The way young people have formed their own organisation and the Cockroach Janata Party has emerged is a very welcome step,” he said.

However, he suggested that the organisation form a senior advisory board to provide direction and guidance.

Responding to questions about the CJP’s alleged links with the Aam Aadmi Party and abusive language used against PM Modi during a Jantar Mantar protest, Ojha said he did not believe there was such a connection.

“No, no, I don’t think so. Although the Aam Aadmi Party has extended considerable support to them, I don’t think there is any such connection,” he said.

On the use of abusive language, Ojha said society, particularly young people, is influenced by literature and cinema.

“So, when movies themselves show so much abusive language, children will inevitably learn something or the other from somewhere,” he said.

–IANS

rs/dpb