KASHMIR NEWS TRUST #KNT
Srinagar, June 1, 2023: After weeks of negative publicity, Physics Wallah (PW) — one of India’s most prominent education technology platforms — on Thursday sought to defend its image, asserting that the company remains committed to providing quality education despite recent controversies.
Addressing a press conference in Srinagar, PW officials acknowledged that being a large brand often attracts scrutiny but insisted that the organization’s focus remains entirely on student welfare and academic excellence. “Our brand is very big, and it’s obvious for big brands to be in controversy,” said Rohit Gupta, one of the representatives. “It’s a mixture of truth and falsehood, but we want to make it clear that we provide quality education and take care of every student.”
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Founded by Alakh Pandey, a teacher-turned-entrepreneur who started his journey from a YouTube channel, Physics Wallah is India’s first edtech unicorn built by an educator. The company, which claims to have some of the best faculty across India, has expanded its footprint into multiple regions, including Jammu and Kashmir.
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Representatives at the Srinagar press meet maintained that PW’s teaching team is a mix of local and national educators from cities such as Kota and Chandigarh. “We are not businessmen but teachers. Our goal is to ensure that students in Kashmir get access to the same quality education available elsewhere in India,” one of the officials said.
However, when questioned about frequent faculty changes and the departure of key teachers mid-session, which has led to student dissatisfaction, PW officials said that the institution has systems in place to minimize disruptions. “Our faculty is well-trained, and all lectures are recorded so that students don’t suffer in case of staff transitions,” the representative assured.
It is worth noting that earlier this year, three senior teachers resigned from PW alleging that the institute had deviated from its original mission and “no longer provided a conducive environment for students.” The teachers went on to launch their own educational venture — Sankalap — which has since gained millions of online followers.
The press conference, however, did not pass without friction. According to witnesses, one PW representative confronted a journalist for asking questions about the ongoing controversy. The exchange reportedly drew criticism from the media fraternity, with one reporter remarking, “We represent students, not your marketing department.”
Adding to the awkwardness, another attendee — described as an “alleged reporter” — began asking questions from a prepared questionnaire, interrupting proceedings and drawing suspicion from genuine media representatives. “It seemed to be a staged press conference. About 90 percent of those present were from Budgam district, running small Facebook pages. The tone of questioning felt orchestrated,” observed one journalist.
The event also reignited discussion about coaching culture in Kashmir, where several institutions promote themselves using images of toppers from other states. “We see big banners with students from outside Jammu and Kashmir being showcased as success stories,” said a parent who attended the event. “We want to see our own children being celebrated, not befooled by outside results.”
Despite the controversy, Physics Wallah maintains that it is focused on educational reform and inclusivity and aims to expand its presence in Kashmir by building local academic partnerships and mentorship programs. [KNT]
