In India, the budget allocation for education and higher education has gradually increased over the years.
In 2024, the budget set aside Rs 1.48 lakh crore for education, employment, and skilling. The largest portion of this amount, Rs 73,498 crore, was allocated to the Department of School Education and Literacy. India has allocated more than 4% of its GDP to the education sector from 2015 to 2024. In contrast, the expenditure in the US amounts to 5%, while Canada, Japan, and Germany allocate 5.5%, 3.6%, and 4.8% of their respective budgets to this expenditure.
Though the budget allocated for education and higher education in India has gradually increased over the years, it must be augmented to meet the demands of the changing job sector. The budget should prioritize the education sector, as offering quality education to the populace will ultimately aid in developing a skilled population for the country. An educated and skilled populace will contribute to an increase in the country’s GDP. Experts have observed that, in line with previous trends, all developed nations have allocated significant resources to their public education systems.
It is important to train the country’s youth in order to build a strong and skilled workforce.
With regard to the allocation for Budget 2025, Poshak Agrawal, Co-founder of Athena Education, states, “A major focus area for the government is the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP), especially in relation to digital education and skill development. It is anticipated that the budget will direct additional resources to these initiatives, which are essential for modernizing India’s educational landscape.
Mr. Agrawal goes on to specify the areas requiring greater allocation. Included are:
- Digital Infrastructure: Funding for technology and resources aimed at improving online learning experiences in various educational institutions.
- Teacher Training: Considerable financial resources are being allocated to teacher training initiatives designed to enhance pedagogical skills and incorporate technology into teaching methods.
- Skill Development Programs: Focus on initiatives that foster skill development in line with industry requirements, guaranteeing that graduates possess relevant skills for the job market.
Sumit Kumar, Chief Strategy Officer at TeamLease Degree Apprenticeship, emphasizes that to empower educators, the budget should allocate sufficient resources for teacher training and capacity-building initiatives, with an emphasis on professional development workshops, advanced certifications, and the incorporation of innovative teaching methods.
The Union Budget should be crucial in furthering the aims of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 by giving precedence to digital education, skill development, teacher training, and enhancements to infrastructure.
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