Nagpur: The Union Budget for 2018-19 evoked mixed reactions from city educationists, teachers and students. While some of them hailed positive steps like integrated courses, RISE (Revitalizing of Infrastructure and Systems of Education) and increase in the educational cess, others termed the Budget as an eyewash and said it lacked focus on primary
education and meant to confuse people.
VNIT's Yogesh Deshpande said the government's decision to revitalize school infrastructure with an allocation of Rs1 lakh crore for four years under RISE will strengthen the overall education system. "It will help reduce the dropout rate from rural India. Also, integrated BEd programme will enhance the quality of teachers and will help them to think beyond chalk and talk," he said.
Taking a dig at RISE, Tirpude Institute of Management Education director Lalit Khullar said the Budget is merely an eyewash. "Simply coming up with fancy acronyms isn't going to solve the problems that are plaguing the education sector. Big ticket announcements for revitalizing infrastructure in education sector is not needed. Khullar added that need of the hour is allocation of specific funds for manpower. "Integrated BEd isn't the solution to teachers' woes. Enabling increased private participation is called for," he said.
Talking about new plans, Rahul Zunzunwala, director of a well-known coaching institute, said the hike in educational cess from 3% to 4% is pretty fine. "The proposals to start 24 new medical colleges and 20 schools for planning and architecture are welcome. PM Research Fellowship for 1,000 best BTech students in the country will be instrumental in retaining best brains in India," he said.
Priyadarshini College of Education's assistant professor Dipendra Bendre said it is a welcome Budget as it focuses on increasing quality and digital intensity in entire education system. "But, the main missing point is primary education which is the fundamental need."
Linking air-connectivity with education, former Nagpur University VC Vilas Sapkal said the government plans to develop more airports and make air travel affordable. "This will give mobility to student. Also, emphasis has been on digital learning and teachers' training. Another good decision is Eklavya scheme for tribal students," said Sapkal, who is currently chairman, Board of PG Education & Research in Engineering Technology, AICTE.
Postgraduate student Swaima Ahmed said, "The 2018 Budget hopefully throws light on higher education creating an ecosystem that fosters research and brings to fore quality solutions. Focus should also be given to skill development."
Shahbaz Khan, an engineering student, said, "For India to be able to leverage its strengths and opportunities as a knowledge economy on a global scale, it needs to undertake significant reforms and investments in building education and skills, strengthening its innovation system, promoting English as a life skill and further boosting its information infrastructure."
Key Takeaways
24 new medical college
20 schools for planning and architecture
18 of these will be set up at existing IITs and NITs
PM Research Fellowship for 1,000 best BTech students in the country
Innovative ways to involve high performing manpower in education needed
Government needs to target at least 1 new medical college per parliamentary constituency to ensure parity with other fields of education
