Education Minister Highlights 113% Increase in Education Budget and 6% GDP Target for Education in Parliament
For the current fiscal year, Rs 1.20 lakh crore has been allocated specifically for education, with a total provision of Rs 1.48 lakh crore.
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan speaking in the Parliament said that there has been 113% increase in the education sector budget since 2013-14. The combined budget for education from central and state governments has soared from Rs 4.3 lakh crore to Rs 9.19 lakh crore.
For the current fiscal year, Rs 1.20 lakh crore has been allocated specifically for education, with a total provision of Rs 1.48 lakh crore.
Pradhan also announced that spending on education as a percentage of GDP has risen from 3.84% in 2013-14 to 4.64% in 2020-21, with an anticipated increase to 6% as the economy continues to grow. The Minister addressed various allegations and defended the National Education Policy (NEP) against ideological criticisms, emphasizing its role in aligning education with Indian cultural traditions and global standards.
Additionally, Pradhan responded to allegations by MP Asaduddin Owaisi regarding the declining number of Muslim girls in education. He countered Owaisi’s claims with data from the UDISE report, showing that the average enrollment of Muslim girls in primary and secondary education is close to the national average. He also pointed to the appointment of Professor Naima as the first female VC of Aligarh Muslim University as evidence of the government’s commitment to merit-based appointments and inclusivity.
Pradhan defended the National Education Policy (NEP) against critiques suggesting it was ideologically driven. He described the NEP as a transformative vision for aligning education with Indian cultural traditions while addressing global challenges. He highlighted the policy's success in increasing female enrollment in STEM fields and improving access for SC, ST, and OBC categories.
In his speech, Pradhan portrayed the NEP as a comprehensive framework for educational reform and nation-building, asserting that it has garnered broad acceptance and support across the country.
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Abhay an alumnus of IIMC and Delhi University, has over a decade long experience of reporting on various beats of journalism. During his free time he prefers listening to music or play indoor and outdoor games.