Budgetary allocation is always a debatable topic all over the world. Not only it depends upon priorities but also reflects a regulated approach, targeting specific projects and their time frame.
Remarkably, the Aam Aadmi Party government has allotted 26% for Education in its Rs 60,000 crore annual budget which was tabled in the Delhi Assembly for the FY 2019-20.
Education is a significant pillar of nation building. In fact, post-independence, much investment was done on the formation of IITs and other government colleges. In the years thereafter, the focus shifted to other welfare schemes. Again in the economic liberalization phase, there was a renewed outlook regarding education from the Narasimha Rao government. Special mention has to be referred to the budgets for FY 2001-02 and 2007-08. But on an average, the Union Finance Budget has hovered around 4-5% while allocating for the education sector. In fact, decentralization has been very common where states have been given more responsibilities as far as economic constraints are concerned. In this regard, the Arvind Kejriwal government has made a bold move. The good thing about the Delhi government is, this is the fifth year in row that education has been given the highest allocation.
Per the announcement, there will be a new teacher training university, a new Applied Sciences University and an MBA course at Delhi Technological University. The new Applied Sciences University will be providing certificate, diploma and degrees up to PhD. Apart from that, nine crores has been allocated to providing computer tablets to students who score above 80% in government schools in Std X, and also to students in RPVVs and schools of excellence in Std XI and XII. Overall, the decision to allocate such massive amount is exemplary, considering the Indian context. Delhi’s stance can be a huge motivation for other states. India has ample scope to improve in elementary skills, basic mathematics, general knowledge, and not to forget the gender gap in higher education and skill-based technical education.
