Budget 2024: Spotlight on skilling, AI hubs; experts look forward to budget with 'cautious optimism'

NEW DELHI: As the Union government is preparing the Budget 2024 for the financial year 2024-25, academics and experts expect more focus on affordable education, upskilling and AI. The Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman is expected to present the full Union Budget 2024 in the third week of July. While the education sector continuously is pushing for higher allocation, here’s what the experts recommend for improving the education system of the country.

Manav Subodh, founder of 1M1B (One Million for One Billion) said that the Union government should focus on green education, skilling and artificial intelligence (AI). To achieve this, the budget must establish AI hubs and centres of excellence focussed on open source AI, democratizing access and enabling indigenous use case development addressing local sustainability challenges in areas like transportation, agriculture, and energy efficiency, he said.

Highlighting India’s mission to achieve net-zero emissions by 2070, Subodh said: “The government must encourage the PPP model in green skilling and set up Green skill academy in different states so that it can address the immediate need to equip 1 crore youth with green skills by 2025, integrating these programmes with the Skill India Mission.”

This will also help the country meet the climate commitment in addition to creating jobs. The budget should also create a dedicated fund and provide incentives for climate technology and AI start-ups, he said.

“The time for incremental change is over. India's 2024 budget must make a decisive leap, investing in green skilling and AI to position the nation as a global leader in sustainable development and emerging technologies," the founder of the AI-focused skilling organization said.

Also read Budget 2024: Experts push for higher allocation for education, reduction in GST for digital services

Affordable education

Ujjwal Singh, founding CEO of Infinity Learn by Sri Chaitanya urged the government to collaborate with stakeholders to tackle prevailing educational challenges. “Central to this endeavor is bridging the digital divide, a crucial initiative that requires fortifying the technological infrastructure of schools nationwide. By prioritizing these efforts, we can pave the way for a more inclusive and advanced educational system that empowers all learners,” Singh said.

“Furthermore, ensuring equitable access necessitates robust support mechanisms. We advocate for policies that make quality education affordable and inclusive, dismantling geographical and socioeconomic barriers. To ease the financial burden of parents and ensure that quality education is accessible and affordable in tier 2 and 3 cities across the country, we seek lowered GST rates to 5% on online learning. This aligns with our mission to narrow the educational gap and uphold the spirit of 'Baccha Seekha ki Nahi',” he added.

“With cautious optimism, we look towards the upcoming budget. We believe it has the potential to transform the EdTech sector into a powerful engine for inclusive innovation. This is a collective endeavor, and our ultimate goal is to ensure every child has the opportunity to learn, thrive, and contribute to a better India,” he said.