Infosys founder NR Narayana Murthy emphasized the need for improved salaries for teachers as a crucial step for the country's progress.
Speaking at the Infosys Prize ceremony hosted by Infosys Science Foundation, Murthy stressed the importance of showing respect to educators and researchers by providing better compensation and facilities.
In addition to advocating for better pay, Murthy outlined a four-step plan to expedite the nation's growth in collaboration with teachers and researchers. He discussed the stages of a nation's invention and innovation lifecycle, noting that India should aspire to move from stage one, where there is minimal innovation, to stage four, where the country becomes a pioneer in creating new processes, products, and services.
Murthy pointed out that certain areas in the country, such as the design of livable cities, pollution management, traffic control, and access to clean and safe water, are still in the early stages of development. He emphasized the importance of advancing to stage four in every aspect that impacts the lives of the poorest citizens in remote areas.
In a recent podcast with former Infosys board member TV Monhandas Pai, Murthy highlighted the low productivity levels in India and suggested that the youth should be willing to work 70 hours a week to enhance productivity.
Addressing the National Education Policy (NEP) of India 2020, Murthy proposed a strategy to accelerate its outcomes by involving retired teachers. He suggested inviting 10,000 highly accomplished retired teachers from the developed world and India in STEM areas to establish 2500 "Train the Teacher" colleges across the country. Murthy recommended a payment of $100,000 per year for each retired teacher, estimating the 20-year program to cost $1 billion annually and $20 billion over two decades. Despite the financial investment, he expressed confidence that a nation targeting a GDP of $5 trillion would not find it a significant burden.
The National Education Policy 2020, introduced by the Union Cabinet of India in July 2020, provides a comprehensive framework for education, from elementary to higher and vocational training, in both rural and urban areas. The policy replaces the previous National Policy on Education from 1986.