Pre-budget 2024 Expectations: Need For Increase In Budgetary Allocations

"Education can have transformative power in our societies and globally and in times like these, we need it to make a better and more peaceful world"

- Olli-Pekka Heinonen, Director General, The International Baccalaureate

The significance of Budget 2024 extends far beyond being a mere financial plan; it serves as a guiding light for the future of our nation's knowledge ecosystem, laden with expectations. As we await the announcement of Budget 2024, it is essential to underscore the crucial role that education plays in shaping the destiny of individuals like Aisha (name changed), whose story epitomises the transformative power of quality education.

Aisha, a bright and ambitious student from a small town, represents the countless dreams and aspirations that hinge on the Indian education sector. Her journey, however, is not without challenges. Like many students across the country, Aisha has faced hurdles in accessing online education due to the persistent digital divide. This narrative echoes the broader issues facing the education sector, ranging from the shortage of skilled teachers to the imperative need for technological integration.

The industry expectations for Budget 2024 are rooted in a call for a clear budget allocation, aligning with strategic initiatives outlined in NEP 2020. Commendably, the government has shown a commitment to addressing these challenges in the past, allocating Rs 1.13-lakh crore for the education sector in the Union Budget 2023-24. This marked an 8.3 per cent increase from the previous year, exhibiting tangible endeavour to strengthen the sector recovering from the dark shadow of the Covid-19 pandemic. Yet, what still concerns the education sector is a limited outlay of 2.9 per cent of GDP in 2023-24.  

It’s certain that the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 is the impetus to increase the budgetary allocation to 6 per cent of GDP for the education sector in 2024-25. When compared with other important sectors such as Defence (2.1 per cent of GDP) and the Health Sector (2.1 per cent of GDP), the allocation of GDP of 2.9 per cent to the Education Sector is an encouraging sign and instills hope for more to come.

Education is considered as a revenue-expenditure portfolio; It is time we see it as a revenue-generating portfolio. Education transforms society and clearly creates livelihood, leading to the economic development of any nation. It is a win-win situation for our country to create a critical mass of competent and skilled human resources that will become the cornerstone of building a skilled India.

The existing National Digital Library (NDL) can be a game changer for school children and college youth who have access to resources such as textbooks, sample papers, marking schemes, practice resources, video lessons and more, with the internet architecture scaling in the country. It is imperative, therefore, that we invest more money in upgrading and building robust digital structures that impact learners across the length and breadth of India. It will indisputably enable and strengthen children from diverse economic backgrounds and demographics to be independent and self-reliant learners.

The National Education Policy (NEP) laid a robust foundation, emphasising the need for a comprehensive overhaul of the education system. The budgetary allocations must now align with the NEP's goals, ensuring funds for endeavours such as academic credit banks, vocational training and adaptable learning routes. The success of the NEP 2020 relies on meticulous planning and well-thought-out financial allocations.

In particular, the budget should prioritise three crucial pillars: Resources (physical and human), Democratisation of Education and Inclusivity. The bedrock of the pillars is high-quality education, access to all, teacher training and an inclusive environment.

Understandably, the education sector is vast and multifaceted, demanding collaboration between public and private entities. Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) can serve as a catalyst for innovation and resource optimisation. The budget should encourage and facilitate PPPs, building an eco-system for collaboration to ensure accountability and transparency.

Effective attraction and retention of competent educators is paramount. Competitive salary packages, professional development opportunities, and measures to elevate the overall status of the teaching profession should be outlined in the budget. Monitoring and evaluation mechanisms are equally crucial for effective implementation, ensuring judicious utilisation of funds and real-time impact assessment. The long-term vision for education in India requires strategic and sustained efforts, extending beyond immediate needs. Investments in research and development, digital infrastructure and skill development programs are essential for the sustainable growth of the education system.

As we anticipate Budget 2024, there's an opportunity to address current challenges and future-proof the education sector against uncertainties. The budget should allocate funds specifically for teacher training programs, infrastructure investment, curriculum development, and technology integration. The needle must shift from quantifiable scores to a well-rounded education, regardless of school/college design and pedagogy. This needs investment and resources. These measures will fortify the education system, making it resilient and tenacious.  

Furthermore, with a clear deadline of 2025 for the Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN) Mission, how close are we to addressing this challenge at the grassroots level? Real-time data, continuous monitoring, and adaptive strategies are imperative for the success of this mission.  

In conclusion, Budget 2024 holds significant promise for the education sector in India. If the proposed measures are wisely implemented, they could usher in an era of educational excellence, inclusivity, and innovation. The collective hope is that the budget becomes a catalyst for transformative change, guiding India towards a future where education is not merely a sector but a driving force for national progress, international collaborations and peaceful relationships.

About the author

The author of the article is Director Principal, Shiv Nadar School, Faridabad; Director - Continuous Professional Development, SNS and Chairperson, South Delhi Sahodaya Group of Schools.