Experts pin hopes on more allocation for skilling programmes, tech-based learning in Budget 2016

While presenting Budget 2015, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had emphasised more on higher education and skill development.

The government had proposed to set aside Rs. 69,074.76 crore for the education sector, out of which there was an increase in the Higher Education Budget from Rs. 23,700 crore in 2014-15 to Rs. 26,855.26 crore in 2015-16.

However, allocation for School Education & Literacy was marginally reduced to Rs. 42,219.5 crore. For Budget 2016, experts are looking for more enhancing vocational education requirements.

“Government’s schemes towards providing scholarships to meritorious, economically backward students should be strengthened in higher education. There is also a need to develop more vocational educational requirements of people who are not eligible for higher education,” said Prof. Rupamanjari Sinha Ray, Assistant Professor, MDI, Gurgaon.

Meanwhile, the minister had also announced new IITs and AIIMS-like institutions. Experts say in Budget 2016, they should focus on funding existing institutions and create world-class tech-based classrooms.

“Education is an important social sector and allocation of budget should be increased substantially. Instead of creating more IITs and IIMs in the country, government can strengthen by funding all the existing institutes in terms of quality resources and creating world class technology environment,” said Ray.

For skill development, Jaitley had announced allocation of Rs. 1,543.46 crore to Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.

In Budget 2016, experts want more regulation in the education sector and private sector investments in skilling programmes.

“With the focus on Digital India and start-ups, it would be nice to see investments in education and skilling programs to prepare the next generation. There is urgent need to transform bodies such as AICTE that control inputs such as curriculum and infrastructure and replace them with a body that rates “learning outcomes”. We need to attract private capital into higher education and invite ethical companies to invest and earn reasonable returns and ensure high standards in education. In other words we need to remove all controls and replace them with enabling regulation,” said Anil Sachdev, Founder & CEO of School of Inspired Leadership.

It is yet to see how much allocation does Jaitley announces for education sector but there is a need to have more practical learning classrooms.

(Image: Indiatimes)