Press Release
Geetam Acharya
Center for Human Dignity and Development (CHDD), Center for ICT for Development (CICTD), Center for the Study of Finance and Economics (CSFE), Generation Alpha Data Center (GenAlpha DC) IMPRI Impact and Policy Research Institute, New Delhi, hosted an interactive panel discussion on the topic of Education, S&T, R&D and Union Budget 2024-25.On 26th July 2024, under the IMPRI 5th Annual Series of Thematic Deliberations andAnalysis of Union Budget 2024-25, as part of IMPRI #WebPolicyTalk. The budget panel discussion was chaired by Prof Sachidanand Sinha, Visiting Professor, IMPRI; Former Professor, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi.
The first panelist, Prof Anita Rampal, Former Dean of, the Faculty of Education, University of Delhi, begins her discussion by acknowledging that the current state of education in India is being challenged by issues of federalism, funding cuts, and a shift towards privatization and argues that the proposals to enhance educational policies raise concerns about equity and access for all students. She expresses concerns that there has been a notable decline in educational expenditure by both union and state governments, impacting social services. This trend raises alarms about the prioritization of education in national policies.
Prof Binod Khadria, Former Professor, at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi, argues that the evolving nature of education in India reflects an increasing focus on vocational training and practical skills. His discussions highlight the economic disparities and funding challenges in the Northeast region of India, emphasizing the need for substantial investments in education and infrastructure. Additionally, the impact of technology on employment and the necessity of addressing demographic changes in education are raised.
Dr. Y. Suresh Reddy, Director, SRF Foundation, Gurgaon, the next panelist, emphasizes the need for private sector involvement in research and development, with a focus on fostering innovation through public-private partnerships. A significant portion of funding is expected from private contributors to enhance the R&D ecosystem. The budget allocates 28% for public expenditure in R&D, highlighting the necessity for collaboration with private partners to drive innovation. He expresses the need for Investment in education and health to attract foreign direct investment (FDI). Countries with strong human development indicators are better positioned to establish effective public-private partnerships.
Prof Mona Khare, Professor, and Head, Department of Educational Finance, National Institute of Educational Planning and Administration (NIEPA), New Delhi, highlights how the recent budget shows an increase in education funding, but it requires a deeper analysis of percentage allocations and trends to understand its true impact. The relationship between education funding and employment needs more attention in budgetary provisions. She emphasizes that Internships are crucial for students, especially longer-duration ones, to enhance their professional experience. The implementation of recent announcements regarding internships will significantly impact youth employment opportunities in the country.
Prof Saumen Chattopadhyay, Professor and Chairperson, Zakir Husain Centre for Educational Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi acknowledges that the Indian higher education system is facing increasing differentiation due to inadequate budgetary allocations, which compromises the inclusivity and accessibility of education. This trend is exacerbated by a focus on competitive funding for specific sectors. He argues that the private sector’s role in higher education is expected to grow, but this raises questions about inclusivity and access for all students, especially given the lack of government support. The admission policies of private institutions are particularly concerning.
The last panelist, Prof Nalin Bharti, Professor, Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Patna, and Visiting Senior Fellow, IMPRI, acknowledges the importance of higher education in India, highlighting its potential to address societal disparities and the need for inclusive education policies. Substantial financial support and reform are necessary for its development. He argues that the National Education Policy 2020 aims to implement significant changes in school education, emphasizing the need for a strong foundation at the primary level to ensure successful transitions to higher education.
The panel discussion focused on the themes of education, science and technology, research and development, and the Union Budget for 2024-25. Experts highlighted the critical need for increased funding and support for higher education, emphasizing the importance of inclusivity and equitable access to quality education. Concerns were raised about the declining budget allocations, particularly for state universities, and the impact of privatization on educational equity. The discussion also addressed the role of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in funding education and the necessity for a comprehensive approach to improve early childhood education and enhance research capabilities in India. Overall, the panel called for transformative changes in educational policies and funding to foster innovation and address societal disparities.
IMPRI’s 5th Annual Series of Thematic Deliberations and Analysis of Union Budget 2024-25
IMPRI’s 5th Annual Series of Thematic Deliberations and Analysis of Union Budget 2024-25
Watch the event at IMPRI #Web Policy Talk
Education, S&T, R&D and Union Budget 2024-25
Acknowledgement- This article was written by Geetam Acharya, a Research Intern at IMPRI and an undergraduate student at Sri Venkateswara College, University of Delhi with a keen interest in Political Science and International Relations.
