UPA's interim budget has delivered on all the big-ticket promises -- new IITs, IIMs,
central universities, schools of planning and architecture -- while still keeping its feet on the ground by not ignoring elementary education.
Compared to last year's revised estimates, there is an increase of 16% in higher education, 10% in elementary, 13% in technical education and 52% in secondary education. However, it needs to be pointed out that the hike in secondary education is due to underperformance in the current fiscal. Out of Rs 5,139 crore (plan and non-plan) allocated to secondary sector, only Rs 4,056 crore could be spent.
But the emphasis is on higher education, reflected in the 900% increase in this sector in the 11th Plan. A liberal allocation of Rs 200 crore has been made for eight new IITs (six are already functioning), Rs 20 crore for four of the six new IIMs that would come up by the next academic year.
Strangely, Pranab Mukherjee said a new IIM would come up in Rajasthan, a fact not known to HRD officials. According to the ministry, six IIMs will come up in Jharkhand, Tamil Nadu, J&K, Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand and Haryana.
Generous allocation has also been made for Indian Institutes of Science for Education and Research and Schools of Planning and Architecture.
A big draw on University Grants Commission's financial health would be payment of revised salary to university/college teachers. However, it is unclear where the money would come from. Also, funds for 15 new central universities has not been sourced.
In elementary education, Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan continues to get pride of place with Rs 13,100 crore allocation. Its complementary programme Mid-Day Meal Scheme has also seen an increase in allocation to Rs 8,000 crore. Though SSA allocation is same as last year, it is still an increase since the funding pattern from this year would change to 60:40 instead of 65:35. Madhav Chavan of Pratham said in SSA pressure of constructing schools is easing, "but it is time now that states take up the initiative and work towards improving quality".
In secondary education, Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan and 6,000 model schools at block level finally take off with big allocation of Rs 1,353.98 crore and Rs 350 crore, respectively.
central universities, schools of planning and architecture -- while still keeping its feet on the ground by not ignoring elementary education.
Compared to last year's revised estimates, there is an increase of 16% in higher education, 10% in elementary, 13% in technical education and 52% in secondary education. However, it needs to be pointed out that the hike in secondary education is due to underperformance in the current fiscal. Out of Rs 5,139 crore (plan and non-plan) allocated to secondary sector, only Rs 4,056 crore could be spent.
But the emphasis is on higher education, reflected in the 900% increase in this sector in the 11th Plan. A liberal allocation of Rs 200 crore has been made for eight new IITs (six are already functioning), Rs 20 crore for four of the six new IIMs that would come up by the next academic year.
Strangely, Pranab Mukherjee said a new IIM would come up in Rajasthan, a fact not known to HRD officials. According to the ministry, six IIMs will come up in Jharkhand, Tamil Nadu, J&K, Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand and Haryana.
Generous allocation has also been made for Indian Institutes of Science for Education and Research and Schools of Planning and Architecture.
A big draw on University Grants Commission's financial health would be payment of revised salary to university/college teachers. However, it is unclear where the money would come from. Also, funds for 15 new central universities has not been sourced.
In elementary education, Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan continues to get pride of place with Rs 13,100 crore allocation. Its complementary programme Mid-Day Meal Scheme has also seen an increase in allocation to Rs 8,000 crore. Though SSA allocation is same as last year, it is still an increase since the funding pattern from this year would change to 60:40 instead of 65:35. Madhav Chavan of Pratham said in SSA pressure of constructing schools is easing, "but it is time now that states take up the initiative and work towards improving quality".
In secondary education, Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan and 6,000 model schools at block level finally take off with big allocation of Rs 1,353.98 crore and Rs 350 crore, respectively.
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