The landscape of education in India is marked with huge obstacles for countless aspiring learners due to high tuition fees, and high cost of courses for competitive exams resulting in a cycle of inequality depending upon socioeconomic status. Physics Wallah with the understanding that access to quality education should not be a privilege reserved for the few but a fundamental right accessible to all. Taking a significant step towards enhancing educational accessibility for underprivileged students, co-founder Alakh Pandey has taken a momentous decision to waive off fees for 51,000 economically disadvantaged students for the academic year 2023-24.
The Right to Education programme which is being spearheaded by Physics Wallah has become a beacon of hope for countless aspiring learners from economically weaker backgrounds. The programme aims to break down the barriers to education understanding that access to quality learning resources is not a privilege but a fundamental right.
Alakh Pandey, the founder and CEO of Physics Wallah, said, “We aim to encourage them and provide hope that we stand by them, and financial constraints won’t hinder their Right to Education.”
By waiving off fees for 51,000 deserving students across a diverse array of courses, including NEET and JEE preparation, commerce, arts, and standard 9-12 coaching, Physics Wallah is hoping to cover all sectors. With the total cost of fee waivers exceeding Rs 17 crore, according to a PTI report, Physics Wallah has shown its unwavering dedication to societal progress and educational equity.
By affording underprivileged students the opportunity to access high-quality educational resources and guidance, Physics Wallah is not merely alleviating immediate financial burdens but also nurturing a culture of empowerment and aspiration. The impact of education extends far beyond the confines of classrooms; it has the potential to break cycles of poverty, foster innovation, and drive social mobility.
Physics Wallah: Bringing Education to Everyone
Headquartered in Noida, Physics Wallah is an Indian multinational educational technology company which has transformed the way students can learn and prepare for competitive exams. By leveraging technology, Physics Wallah has helped learners master complex concepts at their own pace through interactive lectures, practice questions, and personalized guidance.
“It is not that I enjoy teaching because I am successful now,” says the Co-founder and CEO of Physics Wallah, Alakh Pandey, “I enjoyed my work even while I was shooting videos out of my single-room rented apartment in 2015.”
In June 2022, Physics Wallah entered the unicorn club after securing a $100 million led by WestBridge Capital and GSV Ventures at a valuation amounting to $1.1 billion, according to Economic Times. As of January 2024, the Physics Wallah app has been downloaded over 10 million times.
The Inspiring Journey of Physics Wallah
Alakh Pandey’s journey started his teaching journey in a slum where he used to balance his own studies while providing tuition to younger students. Despite facing financial hardships, Pandey was always passionate about teaching and decided to pursue his calling with unwavering resolve.
In 2016, inspired by his experiences and driven by a desire to change learning, Alakh Pandey launched Physics Wallah as a YouTube channel. The name is a reference to a famous tea stall called Chai Wallah, showing the passion of Alakh to create a platform that beyond geographical boundaries and socio-economic barriers.
With a focus on providing education for competitive exams like NEET and JEE, Physics Wallah quickly gained attention, attracting thousands of subscribers who were drawn to Pandey’s teaching style and in-depth subject knowledge.
In January 2018, Pandey took the decision to monetize PW, paving the way for its transformation into a multifaceted educational platform. With the launch of the PW app in May 2020, the company embarked on a new chapter, leveraging cutting-edge technology to offer interactive courses and live classrooms to aspiring learners.
“A student is a student. For the tech and sales guys, they could be ‘users’ or ‘clients’. For me, they will always remain kids looking up to me, waiting to be taught.” Alakh Pandey talking about his students.
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