- Prelims: Current events of national importance(Different social service Schemes, PM-SHRI, UGC,, NEP etc
- Mains GS Paper I & II: Social empowerment, development and management of social sectors/services related to Education etc.
ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS
- The Interim Budget features a substantial cut of over 60% in allocations to the University Grants Commission (UGC).
- Jacob J. Lew’s proposition: budget is not just a collection of numbers, but an expression of our values and aspirations”.
INSIGHTS ON THE ISSUE
Context
University Grants Commission (UGC)
- It is a Statutory body, Set up in 1956
- It is charged with coordination, determination and maintenance of standards of higher education.
- It provides recognition to universities in India, and disburses funds to such recognized universities and colleges.
PM-SHRI Scheme:
Issues with Budgetary allocation to Education:
- The grant for higher education has reduced by ₹9,600 crore from the preceding fiscal year’s revised estimate
- Second consecutive year of slashes in allocations for institutions such as the Indian Institutes of Technology and and the Indian Institutes of Management.
- There is a marginal increase of 0.73% to school education
- The Interim Budget has slashed the allocation to higher education by 8%.
- It will contribute to the exacerbation of the economic burden on both educational institutions and students.
- Despite the budget asserting a 28% increase in funding for Central universities
- It is directed not to the UGC but to the Higher Education Financing Agency (HEFA).
- It will aggravate the already precarious educational condition of marginalized groups
- Their Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) falls significantly below the national average of 3%
- Women, Scheduled Castes, and Scheduled Tribes registering a GER of 24.9%, 23.1%, and 18.9%, respectively (All India Survey on Higher Education 2020-21).
- Over 72% of students find themselves excluded from the prospect of higher education, primarily due to the fiscal deficit experienced by institutions and students.
- India’s GER at the higher education level trails significantly behind the global average of 38%
- marking it the lowest among BRICS nations.
- The PM-SHRI schools adhere to the directives of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
- The higher budgetary allocation seems to be a way of arm-twisting schools from other States/Union Territories who are skeptical about the NEP agenda to embrace it in its entirety.
Higher Education Financing Agency (HEFA):
- Established as a collaborative venture between Canara Bank and the Ministry of Education
- HEFA offers financial support for the development and enhancement of education infrastructure through the provision of loans.
Issues with HEFA:
- It reduced UGC to nothing more than a statutory and regulatory body
- It championS corporate values and ideals that revolve around minimizing costs and maximizing revenue.
- This will compel colleges and universities to introduce more self-financing courses
- It will increase the financial woes of students and these institutions’ reliance on the goodwill of the ‘benevolent’ HEFA.
- It is transference of financial responsibility from the government to public institutions and their students compels universities,
- It steers the central focus of government away from the pursuit of education.
- Education will become a purchasable commodity procured through loans
- It will oblige universities to repay via internally generated funds, typically sourced by charging students
Education 2023: Incheon Declaration(championed by India) and education budget:
- It seeks inclusive, equitable, and quality learning for all through a targeted allocation of 4-6% of the nation’s GDP.
- The current allocation stands at approximately 8% of the GDP.
Constitutional Provisions related to education:
● The 42nd Amendment to the Constitution in 1976 moved education from the State to the Concurrent List.
● Article 21A: It provides free and compulsory education of all children in the age group of six to fourteen years as a fundamental Right.
● Article 39(f): It provides that children are given opportunities and facilities to develop in a healthy manner and in conditions of freedom and dignity
● Article 45: The State shall endeavor to provide, within a period of ten years from the commencement of this Constitution, for free and compulsory education for all children until they complete the age of fourteen years.
● ARTICLE 46: The State shall promote with special care the educational and economic interests of the weaker sections of the people.
Way Forward
- Robust funding stands as a crucial linchpin.
- propelling initiatives to bridge gaps
- enhance enrolments
- ensure retention
- elevate the overall quality of education, making it more equitable and inclusive.
- 3% of the total school education budget is dedicated exclusively to a mere 0.7% of schools, leading to a substantial decrease in the overall budget for existing schools and leaving them in the lurch.
- Proper distribution of budgetary allocation is a way forward.
- The higher education regulator(s) must demonstrate zero tolerance and act swiftly to quell even the smallest trace of corruption in the admission, examination, hiring processes or any aspect of university administration.
QUESTION FOR PRACTICE
National Education Policy 2020 is in line with the Sustainable Development Goals-4 (2030). It intended to restructure and re-orient the education system in India. Critically examine the statement(UPSC 2020) (200 WORDS, 10 MARKS)
