'We used to have that. We're going to have it again. And we've begun to take historic steps to achieve this goal.'

The government's recovery plan had helped close state budget shortfalls, while making historic investments in school libraries and classrooms and facilities all across the US, he said.

'So we've already taken some steps that are building the foundation for a 21st century education system here in America, one that will allow us to compete with China and India and everybody else all around the world,' Obama said.

(Arun Kumar can be contacted at arun.kumar@ians.in)