Spark* recognises the state government’s attempts to bring changes in the current education system that is in shambles, but at the same time, also raises the importance of addressing the pressing needs of students. The inadequate allocation of funds, coupled with the absence of comprehensive measures to improve the quality of education, exacerbates existing educational inequalities. The budget fails to prioritize the welfare of teachers, neglects the needs of marginalized communities, and overlooks the urgent need for inclusive policies. It falls short in providing accessible and affordable education for all students, while the government’s failure to address the drawbacks in the budget only perpetuates systemic injustices. Some highlights are as follows:
Reversal of Textbook Changes:
While the decision to reverse uninformed and arbitrary changes made to school textbooks is mentioned, the budget lacks specific details on the nature of these changes and how they will be addressed. Without clear guidelines and a transparent process, there is a risk of subjecting students to biased or inaccurate information. Insufficient Nutrition Support:
The allocation of Rs. 280 crore for providing supplementary nutrition twice a week to 60 lakh children from class one to ten appears insufficient. It comes to 466 rupees per student which is not sufficient at all. Proper nutrition is crucial for children’s development and academic performance. The budget should have allocated more substantial funds to ensure regular and nutritious meals for all students.
Inadequate Funds for Maintenance:
While there is an enhancement in annual funds for the maintenance of primary and high schools, allocating only Rs. 45,000 per school may not be sufficient to address the maintenance needs adequately. This could lead to substandard infrastructure and negatively impact students’ learning environment and safety.
Limited Focus on Quality Education:
The budget does not outline specific measures to improve the quality of education, such as teacher training programs, curriculum reforms, or pedagogical advancements. Neglecting these aspects can hinder students’ intellectual growth and limit their ability to acquire essential skills for the future. The government has allotted 80 crores to improve the learning skills of 33 lakh school children who are lagging behind in studies by providing them coaching under the ‘Marusinchana’ scheme, which at first is not sufficient as it comes to 242 rupees per student (including the coaching for 1.5 lakh high school children). Second, it’s a bad practice to promote coaching institutes instead of improving the infrastructure and education of the already existing schools. It will also lead to private coaching players to hijack the education system (whatever has remained) which will lead to the deterioration of the already deteriorated education system.
Neglect of Educational Inequalities:
The budget does not sufficiently address the issue of educational inequalities. It fails to allocate targeted funds to bridge the learning gaps among students from marginalized communities or provide resources to schools in remote or disadvantaged areas. This lack of focus on equity undermines the principles of social justice and perpetuates educational disparities.
Inadequate Emphasis on Teacher Welfare:
The budget falls short in prioritizing the welfare of teachers. 10 crores has been allotted to train around 8000 teachers which comes to only 12500 rupees per teacher. It does not allocate sufficient funds for professional development programs, competitive salaries, or improving working conditions. Neglecting the needs and well-being of teachers can impact the quality of education and lead to demoralized educators.
Note: The money used in promoting the coaching institutes could have been used in training of the existing teachers and recruiting more of them.
Lack of Comprehensive Education Policy:
While the budget mentions the formulation of a new education policy, it does not provide substantial details regarding its content, objectives, or consultation process. Without a comprehensive policy framework, it is challenging to address the complex challenges faced by the education system.
