Budget 2024 should address the core aspects of education with a view to enhance quality of learning

Over the last couple of years, education has seen an increase in funds allocated towards increasing outreach, skill development, and improving its quality. However, as education is a key development sector, we have huge expectations from the upcoming budget. It should address the core aspects of education with a view to enhance quality of learning, improve teacher professional skills and build robust infrastructure. Today, education systems continue to face hurdles in effectively supporting learning in the current context and overall student development in an increasingly challenging world.

While new educational policies have identified many path-breaking initiatives, we urge the government to focus on expanding access to education and technology, particularly in rural and underserved areas. We have to build the right combination of Digital, Physical and on-the-job classrooms infrastructure that will improve the efficacy of learning. We also need to create an enabling environment to let the private sector come forward and establish new institutions. Ease of doing business is more important here than anywhere else.

There is also need to advocate gender-focused allocation to promote womens’ education. The country is in need of expertise at different levels and this demand can be met only by training students at the school level. The foundation and vision set by the government, through NEP will be vital in achieving the goal of an effective and inclusive education system. However, the future of Indian education will be marked by innovation, inclusivity, and a commitment to prepare students to face challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. Overall, we hope that the budget gives a much-needed boost to the education sector to cope up with varied tasks in the current context. 

-Niru Agarwal, Trustee, Greenwood High International School