Setting up a Central university in Leh, 100 new Sainik schools and Higher Education Commission of India, increasing collaboration with foreign institutions as well as strengthening over 15,000 schools as per new the New Education Policy (NEP), are among the major announcements from the education sector in the Budget for 2021-22 announced on Monday. The Ministry of Education has received a total of Rs 93,224.31 crore this year. In 2020-21, it was allocated Rs 99,311.52 crore.
In order to promote enhanced academic collaboration with foreign higher educational institutions, the budget has also proposed to put in place a regulatory mechanism to permit dual degrees, joint degrees, twinning arrangements and other such mechanisms. Sitharaman also announced that the CBSE board exam reforms will be implemented from 2022-23 academic session in a phased manner.
“For accessible higher education in Ladakh, I propose to set up a Central University in Leh,” Sitharaman said. While 15,000 schools will be qualitatively strengthened, establishment of 100 new Sainik Schools in partnership with NGOs, private schools and State governments are on the anvils.
“In Budget 2019-20, I had mentioned about the setting-up of Higher Education Commission of India. We would be introducing legislation this year to implement the same. It will be an umbrella body having 4 separate vehicles for standard-setting, accreditation, regulation, and funding,” Sitharaman mentioned.
In the Budget, the blanket exemption in annual receipts for charitable trusts running educational institutions, has been increased from Rs 1 crore to 5 crore. “Many of our cities have various research institutions, universities and colleges supported by the Government of India. Hyderabad for example, has about 40 such major institutions. In nine such cities, we will create formal umbrella structures so that these institutions can have better synergy, while also retaining their internal autonomy. A Glue Grant will be set aside for this purpose,” Sitharaman said.
“The FM rightly said youth of the country have abundant skills and it needs proper channelisation. The education budget and steps announced for effective implementation of NEP, increased focus on the role of technology will provide further opportunities for growth and sustained development of the sector and students,” said Rishi Ahuja, founder of Klip VR Immersive Tech.