More could have been done in education, say teacher & experts

The provisions for the education sector in the Union Budget 2017 has evoked mixed responses from the teachers and students of the city.

While some have alleged that there was no focus on improving the quality of education, others say that reasonable provisions have been made in the Budget announced on February 1 by Finance Minister, Arun Jaitley.

However, city educationalists have expressed their unhappiness over the lack of innovation in the Budget.

"The state's commitment to education has always been high on rhetoric and low on practice. The new Budget and people's expectation of some benefits could have changed my perception," said a student of Delhi University.

Meanwhile, Jawaharlal Nehru University's (JNU) Vice-Chancellor M Jagadesh Kumar hailing the announcement by Jaitley in the 2017-18 Union Budget said: "It is good that the new Budget has underlined reforming University Grants Commission (UGC)."

"Improving quality of research and teaching in Universities should be the top priority," he added.

City people, especially students, expected some sort of relaxation in the fees and education taxes. Inspite of concentrating on the cash crunch especially faced by PG students for paying fees, arranging meals, paying bills and rents, etc that still prevails, the Budget made had no sign of relief and students still remain helpless.

"Unless major shifts are undertaken on an urgent basis to improve education quality and build children's foundational skills, we are losing huge opportunities each year for improving the life chances of an entire generation of children and youth in this country," said an alumna of Miranda House, Delhi University.

The loan segment of the education sector has completely been over looked. No provision for education loans has been made in the new Budget.

J S Rajput, an educationalist expressing his concern said: "The focus should have been on the quality on education provided in primary schools. The teachers should be qualified enough to enhance the knowledge of the students."

"Also, schools should accept children coming from any background to study in their school. Every child has that right," he added.

Meanwhile, the education sector has been allocated nearly Rs 79,686 crore, an increase of around Rs 6,087 crore from last year. This increase is a huge advantage.