Union school education secretary Anil Swarup has invited Bill Gates to join hands with India to improve the quality of education after the Microsoft founder expressed his disappointment with the current state of affairs in the sector.

"Yes, there is a problem and we are attempting to address some of the issues, Mr Gates. Will you now join hands to improve the state of affairs," Swarup tweeted on Friday, following Gates' remarks.

A section of media came up with a news item quoting Gates as saying that his "biggest disappointment" with the state of affairs in India is the current education system in the country.

"Most trends are positive, but my biggest disappointment when it comes to India is the education system. It should be far better. I don't want to be critical, but I do want to create higher expectations about it," the Microsoft founder, who is here in India on an official tour, said.

Gates' response came when he was asked to express his views on the "specific factors" holding India back from achieving the growth potential that is has.