Vice-President Dhankhar calls coaching centres ‘poaching hubs’, urges shift to skill-based learning

Vice‑President Jagdeep Dhankhar, addressing the 4th convocation of the Indian Institute of Information Technology, Kota, expressed deep concern over India’s coaching culture, stating these centres have become “poaching centres” and “black holes for talent in regimented silos.”

He warned that such institutions stifle creativity and curiosity, molding students into rote-learning machines rather than critical thinkers. He termed the current system menacing for the youth, who he described as India’s future leaders.

Highlighting the financial toll and psychological impact on students, Dhankhar criticized the aggressive advertising by coaching institutes, saying:

“Money is poured into billboards and newspapers… a painful burden borne by parents, and not optimal investment in education.”

He also warned that the obsession with grades undermines intellectual curiosity, saying, “Cramming culture has replaced understanding and reflection,” and results in intellectual stagnation.

He urged that coaching centres be repurposed as skill development hubs, reminiscent of ancient Gurukuls, facilitating holistic education instead of exam-centric training.

“We need coaching for skill—not marks,” he emphasized.

In a broader address, Dhankhar tied educational reform to digital sovereignty, warning that the 21st-century battleground lies in code, cloud, and cyber, not armies.

He urged the youth to lead India’s technological independence by building systems that understand India’s diverse languages and socio-cultural needs.