Budget allocation for the education sector is expected to rise by 10-12% this year, doubling the quantum of increase from the previous year.
A major part of the increased allocation will be for improving education outcome in schools, in keeping with the emphasis on education, especially in schools, from the prime minister’s office, two government officials said requesting anonymity.
In the last meeting with economists and experts at Niti Aayog, the prime minister listened carefully to issues related to education and reiterated his demand for excellence, said the first of the two officials. In budget 2016, the government had pegged a little over Rs72,300 crore for education, a 5% increase year-on-year.
With importance coming from the top, you may see a 10-12% hike over previous year’s budget, the official added.
While the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan and the midday school meal scheme will continue to get sizable allocations, the Union budget is likely to emphasize the quality of outcome in schools, the official said. Poor quality of education, especially in government schools, has been a concern for India. Several surveys over the years have indicated that poor learning levels have affected the country’s long-term competitiveness.
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