Is the education sector happy with the Union Budget 2022-23? Here’s what our experts say
Nirmala Sitharaman, the Union Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs, presented the Union Budget for the fiscal year 2022-23 on 1st February. The budget allocated this year for the education sector is Rs 1,04,278 crore, a hike of Rs 11,054 crore as compared to last year. Out of this, the Department of School Education has been granted Rs. 63449.37 crore. This is also a hike, as compared to last year’s revised estimate of Rs 51969.95 crore.
Initiating a new digital university, increased focus on education through regional languages via ‘One Class One TV Channel’ programme and imparting agriculture and life skills-based education were some of the focal points of this year’s Union Budget for education. However, are these enough? Is the education sector happy with budgetary allocation? Well, the Union Budget drew mixed responses from academicians and school principals. While some found it to be satisfactory, others seemed disappointed with the education sector having received lesser funds than others. Here is what principals and educationists from renowned schools have to say about Union Budget 2022-23.
Need for sustainable education and digital schools
According to Nita Arora, principal, co-learner and co-creator, Sri Venkateshwar International School, Delhi, the positive aspects of the budget were the new initiatives rolled out as per the National Education Policy 2020. Outlining the need for sustaining the quality of education, Arora says, “Quality education should be emphasised, irrespective of the mode of education.” However, she seemed a tad disappointed with less importance given to hybrid education. “I really want to examine whether they have focussed on the hybrid mode of education and spared some money for that,” she adds.
She is of the opinion that unless this year’s budget is utilised properly, no amount of extra allocation will make sense. “I want my budget to focus on education in a way that can be properly implemented in real life,” she adds.
As far as her wish list is concerned, Arora is looking forward to the establishment of digital schools alongside the digital university.
Ashok Pandey, director, Ahlcon Group of Schools is quite optimistic about the budget as it points towards economic expansion and infrastructural development within the country for the next few years. Looking at the Union budget through the lens of education, Pandey says, "The outlay for the education sector is not very big. But I would say that there is a substantial improvement in the allocation as compared to the last year." Budgetary allocations in the other education related sectors such as literacy programmes, skill development and higher education, according to him, also become enablers for the growth of education sector as a whole. Rachna Pant, director, Ramjas International School, Delhi, also welcomed the budget. “The Union Budget 2022-23 has laid out a roadmap for the economy.”
More funds needed for school education
Mallika Preman, Principal, Tagore International School, Delhi, had expected more funds allocated to schools in the Union Budget 2022-23 to improve the quality of education during the ongoing pandemic times. “Be it online or offline, the need has shifted more towards holistic education with the changing times,” she says. Preman also shares that schools have not been able to cater to the infrastructure and study resources, such as research labs and modules due to budget constraints.
Thumbs-up to regional language education
Preman lauded the announcement of regional language-based education as a ‘brilliant idea’ as the aim is to strike a balance between English-based and regional language education. “Understanding concepts and ideas will be much easier if it is done in the regional (first) language,” she adds.
Terming the emphasis on regional language education as 'thoughtful and logical', Pandey opines that for such a step to materialise successfully, working towards its facilitation and promotion at the primary, middle as well as higher education level is necessary. "There are a lot of courses available in regional languages across some engineering colleges and a few other higher education institutions. If emphasis on regional language education is given in schools as well, a child who comes from a specific regional language background will not be forced to switch over to English at the age of 15, 16, 17 or 18," he adds.
Pant, however, is dubious about regional language-based education. However, she thinks that there is no harm in trying this approach. "Sure, a regional language will help the child in understanding the basic concepts at the grassroot level. Here the base is built upon the mother tongue or the regional language, and then you can build up on it in another language," she says.
Digital university: The future of higher education
Preman is keen to see how the concept of a new digital university takes shape. “There’s always a limitation to what we do when we go digital,” she adds. According to her, in-school education would help students in the development of their social and emotional values along with academic skills. Hence, education being conducted only through digital medium is not very conducive to the students’ overall development.
Pant, on the other hand, seemed to be quite happy about the digital university, an idea that had been rejected a few years ago. "Here, with the comfort of your home, you will be able to study and you will be able to get the best of education from the best corners of the world. So, you can get a lecture from a Harvard professor from anywhere! Moreover, there will be a university that is actually monitoring all this for you," she says.
Pandey also echoes the same spirit. He is of the opinion that as a society, digitalisation has become integral to our existence. "There might be a large number of students who do not have direct access to big campuses, good teachers and books. Hence, if we have to reach out to a larger cross-section of students, then I think brick-and-mortar has reached its limitations. Therefore, a digital infrastructure is the right move," he adds.
Focus on agriculture and life skills-based education
According to Pandey, there has been a huge disconnect between India’s economic lifeline, agriculture and professionals making their career in this field. Referring to the government’s move to prioritise agriculture and life skills-based education, he says, “It is essential that agriculture, agricultural skills, innovation and scientific inputs in agriculture become a much-focused area of attention for the government and for education.”
Sharing similar thoughts, Pant also said that skill-based education had been meted out a step-motherly treatment so far. "Imparting skill-based education right from school will be more hands-on for the students. Educationists will have to be patient and incorporate this learning module for India's next growth wave,” she signs off.