Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday, February 01, 2021, presented the Union Budget 2021 in Parliament. Experts in the education sector are happy with the measures announced. Union Education Minister Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank has also expressed his gratitude to Finance Minister Smt Nirmala Sitharaman for giving a major boost to education. Pokhriyal highlighted that the Budget allocation for the National Apprenticeship Training Scheme (NATS), has been substantially increased from Rs. 175 Cr to Rs. 500 crore.
Key measures announced for Education Sector in Union Budget 2021
- 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 Govt proposes to amend the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme to enhance opportunities for youth In Budget 201-20, the govt had announced about setting-up of Higher Education Commission of India.
- Govt will introduce Legislation this year to implement the same. It will be an Umbrella body having 4 separate vehicles for standard-setting, accreditation, regulation, and funding.
- FM says modalities worked out for national research foundation, earmarks Rs 50,000 Cr over five years Post Matric Scholarship schemes for the welfare of Scheduled Castes enhanced.
- Govt allocated a budget of Rs 35,21 Cr for 6 years till 2025-26, to benefit 4 Cr SC students. Central University to be set up in Leh.
- National Research Foundation (NRF) to get a benefit of Rs 50,000 crore over five years to strengthen research and focus on the national priority trust area. Innovation and R&D is one of the six pillars of Budget 2021 along with, health and well-being, physical and financial capital and infrastructure, inclusive development for aspirational India, reinvigorating human capital, and minimum government and maximum governance.
- 750 Eklavya Model residential schools in tribal areas will be set-up. Increase unit cost for each school from Rs 20 crore to Rs 38 crore. Rs 35.
- Central assistance has been enhanced for the scheme. Rs 35219 crore will be disbursed over the period of six years.
- The Apprenticeship Act will be amended to increase opportunities for students. It will be realigned for providing post-education apprenticeship. The training of graduates and diploma holders in engineering will be trained under the scheme. Rs 3,000 allotted for this program.
- Senior and retired teachers will act as mentors of school teachers and educators through constant online and offline support on subjects, themes, and pedagogy.
- CBSE Board exam reforms, as mentioned in NEP, will be implemented in a phased manner to be effective from the 2022-23 academic session. Exams will move away from rote-learning and students will be tested on their conceptual clarity, analytical skills, and application of knowledge to real-life situations, as mentioned in NEP 2020.
- A National Digital Educational Architecture (NDEAR) will be set up within the context of a digital-first mindset where the Digital Architecture will not only support teaching and learning activities but also educational planning, governance, and administrative activities of the Center and the States/ Union Territories.
- It will provide a diverse education eco-system architecture for the development of digital infrastructure, a federated but interoperable system that will ensure the autonomy of all stakeholders, especially States and UTs.
