Union Budget 2024-25: Significant Funding Cuts and Privatization Spark Outcry from Education Experts

The total allocation for higher education has decreased from ₹57,244 crores in the revised estimates of 2023-24 to ₹47,620 crores in the 2024-25 budget, marking a significant reduction of 16.8%.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has allocated  ₹1,24,638 crore for the education sector, the overall allocation for Education, Employment, and Skilling is ₹1.48 lakh crore. The Department of School Education has been allocated with ₹73,008 crore, while the Higher Education sector received ₹47,619 crore.

The total allocation for the Education Ministry stands at ₹1,24,638 crore, marking a slight increase from the previous year’s ₹1.16 lakh crore.

In a press statement, the Academic for Action and Development and Delhi Teachers’ Association (AADTA) has voiced strong criticism against the Union Budget 2024-25, accusing it of continuing a trend of severe funding cuts to public universities. According to AADTA, the total allocation for higher education has decreased from ₹57,244 crores in the revised estimates of 2023-24 to ₹47,620 crores in the 2024-25 budget, marking a significant reduction of 16.8%.

"This budget is another step in the direction of dismantling public funded universities by inflicting severe fund cuts in successive budgets," the statement reads. The University Grants Commission (UGC) has been notably affected, with its budget slashed by 61% from ₹6,409 crores in 2023-24 to ₹2,500 crores in 2024-25. AADTA argues that this drastic reduction is part of a broader strategy to weaken established public institutions, diverting funds to new initiatives like Centres of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence and the National Mission in Education Through ICT.

SFI Raises Alarms Over Cuts in School and Higher Education Budgets

The Students’ Federation of India (SFI) has also expressed concerns about the 2024-25 Budget, particularly its implications for school and higher education. Despite pressing issues such as malnutrition among children and inadequate school infrastructure, the budget has only marginally increased the allocation for school education and literacy by less than 1%, from ₹72,474 crores to ₹73,008 crores.

"Anganwadis, which are essential in providing nutrition to young mothers and children, have seen a budget cut of 1.5%," SFI noted in their response. The budget for Anganwadis, crucial for child nutrition and early education, has been reduced by 1.5%, further compounding the challenges faced by these essential services. While there has been a 25% increase in the PM-Poshan scheme, this still falls short compared to 2022 levels, indicating insufficient commitment to addressing malnutrition.

In higher education, the budget cuts are even more severe, with an overall reduction of 17%. The UGC's funding cut is particularly alarming, as it significantly undermines support for public universities. Additionally, the merger of various scholarship schemes into the PM-USP scheme raises concerns about transparency and accountability in expenditure.

Dr. Monami Sinha from the Department of Economics at Kamala Nehru College and an elected Academic Council member commented, "The significant cuts in higher education funding further jeopardize the quality and accessibility of education, underscoring a troubling lack of commitment to the future of India's youth."

Focus on Selective Institutions and Online Education

Both AADTA and SFI highlight the government's focus on establishing a few world-class institutions while neglecting the broader infrastructure needs of public universities. The budget allocation for central sector schemes has increased by 37%, largely directed towards these elite institutions. This approach, they argue, could lead to higher fees and reduced accessibility for students from lower socio-economic backgrounds.

Furthermore, there is a noticeable push towards online education, with doubled spending on the Academic Bank of Credit. Critics warn that this shift could compromise the quality and inclusiveness of education, particularly for students lacking access to digital resources.

The Union Budget 2024-25 has sparked significant backlash from academic and student organizations, who argue that the cuts to public education funding and the shift towards privatization and online education undermine the accessibility and quality of India's education system. They call for a more balanced approach that prioritizes the foundational and infrastructural needs of public institutions to ensure inclusive and equitable education for all students.

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