Union Budget 2024: Investment in skill development, infrastructure, demand academicians

NEW DELHI: Academicians expect investment in teacher training, skill development programmes, infrastructure, research in the Union Budget 2024. Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the Interim Budget 2024 on February 1.

According to Rekha Kejriwal, academic director of Academy of Fashion and Art (AFA), it is important to strike a careful balance between in-school and after-school learning. “There is a need to emphasise enhancing the digital capabilities of schools and promoting a supportive environment for asynchronous learning at home. This dual focus is important to ensure a well-rounded educational experience for all,” she said.

The director suggests investing in teacher training programmes to help integrate technology into classrooms and announcing scholarships for meritorious students at the school and college levels to help those facing problems in accessing digital resources. “The budget's commitment towards these aspects will contribute significantly to the overall improvement of our education system,” the academic added.

Nidheesh Saxena, senior director of admissions, Gitam Deemed-to-be University believes that the Union Budget 2024 is expected to play a crucial role in creating a tax framework that supports educational advancements, addresses financial challenges for students, and contributes to the goal of achieving a higher GER. He stresses the need for comprehensive teacher training programmes to upskill educators.

Allocation of funds toward skill development programmes, technological advancements, and enhancement of infrastructure for hospitality education are on the list of demands by Chef Balendra Singh, director of the Institute of Bakery and Culinary Arts.

“Furthermore, we encourage the government to consider incentivising collaborations between academia and the hospitality sector for research and experiential learning initiatives. This synergistic approach can elevate the quality of education and address the evolving needs of the industry,” the chef added.

Budget 2024: Investment in infrastructure, research

As per Dhara Thakore, head, Incubation and Office of Career Service, Anant National University, with the emergence of new-age technologies, there is a shift in the preference of students from traditional to creative industries such as design, fashion, literature, gaming etc. Creating an environment which supports the growth of this sector will require combining various learning dimensions such as research, innovation, skill development and entrepreneurship.

The Interim Budget 2024 should prioritise budgetary allocation and policy-level support to boost infrastructure, research, and protect intellectual property and experiential learning in this sector, particularly for private higher educational institutions, said Thakore. Moreover, the government could allocate a budget to the academic startup ecosystem to convert nascent ideas into groundbreaking business ventures.

Professor Arvind Sahay, director, MDI Gurgaon, recommends a push for increased allocation of funds to enhance digital infrastructure, promote technology-driven learning, and bridge the digital divide. Investments in state-of-the-art infrastructure, technology integration, and research facilities are important. The budget may also prioritise skill development initiatives to align with the evolving job market. The professor expects initiatives supporting the development of online learning platforms, digital infrastructure of educational institutions, and applications of AI in various areas.

“Additionally, the budget should prioritise initiatives for faculty development, teacher training, ensuring a skilled and motivated teaching workforce especially at the primary level. I believe that efforts to address the affordability and accessibility of education, especially for marginalised communities, may feature prominently. Not to forget, given the global emphasis on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education, the budget could allocate resources to strengthen these fields,” Sahay added.