Rise in the allocation of EDUCATION BUDGET 2022 – worth it?

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The Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Education Budget 2022-23 on 01 February 2022. In the Union Budget 2022-23, the Union government has allocated Rs.1,04,278 crores for the education sector, Rs. 11,054 crores higher than the Financial Year 2021-22- Rs.93,224 crores which was later revised to Rs. 88,002 crores.

Education Budget 2022 focuses on digital learning and availability of e-content which is an important move considering the shifting dynamics due to Covid-19 pandemic. The availability of content in regional languages, establishment of digital university and expansion of financial management knowledge are the key initiatives proposed in this budget.

All the educators, academicians and educational institutions waited for a budget which would enhance and transform the education sector. Covid-19 has affected the entire education infrastructure in the most unexpected way. Thus, the expectations from Education Budget 2022 increased manifold.

An increase in the budget allocation for education would be taken in positive stride, yet more was expected from the government taking into consideration the funds required to effectively implement the NEP 2020 (National Education Policy of India 2020) along with strengthening the digital learning tools.

The budget introduced some programs for digitalizing the education sector, yet only time will tell if these initiatives would be sufficient to make the digital infrastructure accessible and affordable to all. Can this budget bridge the digital divide between the Tier-2 and 3 cities with respect to lack of internet connectivity, mobile phones etcetera? The education experts look forward as to how the digital infrastructure will boost the e-learning system and strengthen the education sector.