The recent budgetary allocation has left education experts across the nation feeling disappointed and let down. They were expecting significant measures and provisions for the education sector, which unfortunately did not materialize.
The total budgetary allocation for education stands at Rs.71,139 crore, accounting for just 3.7 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). This represents a decrease of one per cent compared to the previous year, which is a cause for concern.
From a GDP perspective, the education sector has experienced a decline since last year. The Finance Minister's claim of achieving universal education has been met with skepticism and disbelief, as this goal seems to be far from being realized.
The slight increase in the allocation for primary education has led to several questions being raised:
- Is the government relying on the private sector to bridge the massive funding gap?
- What exactly is the government's plan for primary education?
Some educationists point out that the budgetary allocations seem to have completely overlooked the recommendations of the Niti Aayog.
The Aayog had suggested skill development programs for students studying in madrasas. However, this proposal was conspicuously absent from the National Education Mission announced by the Finance Minister.
Despite grand announcements such as the establishment of 62 Navodaya Vidyalayas and a digital literacy scheme for rural India, concrete figures on school dropouts are missing. This is especially concerning given that quality education in rural India is still a distant dream for many.
Similarly, there was no mention of the Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA) and the Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA), both of which are part of the 12th Five-Year Plan, in the budget.
