Union Budget 2022 | Reactions from the education sector

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Modi government's eighth Budget on February 1. Track this blog to know how the education sector reacted to this year's Budget. Stay tuned for updates.

The plan to connect all villages and their residents with optical fibre by 2025 is a welcome step

Byju Raveendran, Founder and CEO, BYJU'S

"There is a significant jump of 12% in the budgetary allocation to the Ministry of Education. The government continues to approach education reforms with a digital-first mindset. Programs such as 'One class One TV channel' for supplementary education in school, DESH-stackfor upskilling India's youth and virtual labs for developing critical thinking skills will go a long way in fulfilling the liberating vision of NEP 2020.I have always maintained that the digital learning gap is easier to bridge than the physical learning gap. The plan to connect all villages and their residents with optical fibre by 2025 is a welcome step in this regard. The proposed digital university with a personalized learning experience will make higher education more accessible and equitable."

The budget should have outlaid funds to improve digital infrastructure for schools and higher education students

Neeti Sharma, Co-founder and President of TeamLease Edtech

"The budget has many positives : Establishing a Digital University is really appreciated , however along with an independent Digital University, the Govt should allow many existing universities to offer courses digitally, enable universities by creating a roadmap & budgets for digital content and infrastructure that Universities can be follow. Also, while schooling via TV is an attempt to reduce the learning loss, it may not have the efficacy that is expected . The budget should have outlaid funds to improve digital infrastructure for schools and higher education students. While NEP has identified many path breaking initiatives, without the right infrastructure, schools and universities will find it difficult to build capability and capacity. A combination of Digital, Physical and OnTheJob classrooms will have the highest efficacy of learning and even the potential to improve completion rates and GER. Digital DESH to reskill youth is a good initiative and I hope this will act as a central database of learners signing up for vocational skills, certifications and creates a continuous learning path for each learner. Though a positive budget for the sector, including reduction of interest on education loans and an exemption of GST on CSR funds would have made it more comprehensive and enabled for more students to continue education as well as many more corporates to sponsor student education."

By developing digital universities that provide world-class quality education with ISTE Standards, the govt is encouraging EdTech start-ups to flourish

By Anand Maheshwari, Managing Director, Allen Digital Pvt. Ltd

“Glad to see an overarching focus on encouraging paperless and digital advancements in the Union Budget 2022. Right from using a tablet to read out the budget to regarding Startups as the growth driver for economy, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman proposed a wide spectrum of progressive announcements across sectors.

As most of the schools and other educational institutions have chosen for online classes due to the third wave of the pandemic, the digital divide further increases. By introducing ‘One Class One TV Channel’ program by PM eVIDYA, and with fibre optic connectivity for last mile digital reach in villages, the Govt. is trying to shorten the digital divide. It’s a great move as this will also enable all states to provide supplementary education, even in regional languages for classes 1 to 12. By developing digital universities that provide world-class quality education with ISTE Standards, the govt. is also encouraging EdTech start-ups to flourish. FM has also proposed to extend the period of incorporation of eligible startups by one more year (i.e. March 31, 2023) for providing tax incentives. This is going to be a boost for young startups and companies whose plans might have been delayed by the pandemic.”

As Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented her fourth Budget this year, DH takes a look at what sector experts had to say on her key announcements. Track this blog for updates