Budget 2023: Prioritise vocational, skill education, increase standard of teaching, say academics

NEW DELHI: The union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the Budget 2023-24 on February 1. The education sector this year has a lot many expectations from the budget 2023-24. With allocation of budget nearing, education experts and academics are expecting to increase in standards of teaching and delivery in institutions and prioritising vocational and skill education in secondary and higher education institutions.

Speaking about the Budget 2023, IC3 Institute, executive director, Neha Bahl said: "Budgetary allocation for adult education and teacher training was Rs 127 crores in 2022–2023 as against Rs 250 crores in 2021–2022. To effectively execute the objectives of NEP 2020, we anticipate that teacher training will receive a higher budget this year. In addition, a special fund may be established to enhance human resource capacity and efficiencies in the education sector. This would include bringing technological advancements and raising the standards of teaching and delivery in both public and private institutions in India."

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"Regular teachers need to increase their fundamental technical knowledge and skills, and institutions should be equipped to develop learning platforms that allow better learner engagement and outcomes. The budget should also prioritize supporting the gradual integration of vocational and skill education across secondary and higher education institutions over the coming decade," she further added.

The ed-tech industry experts expects changes in as increasing funding for ed-tech startups, providing tax incentives for companies operating in the sector, and launching new initiatives to promote the use of technology in education. The government can take other initiatives to further the industry by investing in technology, fostering collaboration, emphasizing lifelong learning, promoting online education, encouraging research and experimenting among others.