Experts’ Reaction on Indian Union Budget 2021: Could it Meet the Expectation of Education Sector?
One of the most-awaited budgets is here. In the Union Budget 2021, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced a total expenditure estimate of Rs 93,224 crore for education. This consists of Rs 54,874 crore for the Department of School Education and Literacy and Rs 38,350 crore for the Department of Higher Education. Setting up regional, national institutes for virology, over 15,000 schools to be qualitatively strengthened under National Education Policy 2021, 100 new Sainik Schools to be set up in partnership with NGOs, and 750 Eklavya model residential schools in tribal areas are some of the key measures announced for Education Sector. A central University in Leh for accessible higher education in India and allocation of Rs 3000 for the training of graduates and diploma holders in engineering are also much appreciated by the sector. However, mentioning nothing about the informal education sector led by EdTech disappointed many.
