Union Budget 2025 |Prioritise education spending to foster innovation, quality in schools, says Canadian International School MD Shweta Sastri

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the 8th consecutive Union Budget on February 1, 2025. Reports suggest that the government is mulling over cutting income tax for those who are earning up to Rs 15 lakh a year in February's budget, in turn providing relief to the middle class.

The education sector have pinned high hopes on the Union Budget FY 2025-26 documents and are keeping their fingers crossed regarding their expectations from the government's most important financial document of the year.

"As the Union Budget approaches, we are hopeful that the government will prioritise education spending and implement policies that foster innovation, accessibility, and quality in schools. The budget should prioritize substantial investments in upgrading digital literacy among educators and fostering innovative teaching practices, ultimately enhancing educational outcomes nationwide.

A higher allocation would support the establishment of new K-12 schools, enhance educational infrastructure to balance the urban-rural gap in education and improve overall educational outcomes across the country.

The increased allocation of funds will also ensure better quality government schools that educate the majority of children in India. We also believe that digitalisation should be at the forefront, ensuring greater access to meaningful educational resources tailored to the student’s needs.

Such investments are pivotal for preparing students to thrive in a digital-first world and ensuring equitable access to quality education.

We also look forward to support for structured skilling programs, vocational training, application-based learning opportunities, and digital upskilling to align the workforce with emerging market demands. The reduction of interest rates on education loans will also help alleviate financial strain, enabling better access to education.

We need to prioritize teacher training and development programmes as well as strengthen digital infrastructure to facilitate seamless learning experiences.

Additionally, fostering partnerships with foreign educational institutions and promoting cultural exchange programs will enrich our educational offerings and nurture global citizenship among our students. There is also a need to upscale the education system to attract more foreign students to our country to promote India as a global study destination.

Looking ahead, we must strive to ensure that the learning experience remains meaningful and enriching.

Overall, addressing these issues and the need for increased investment in education are crucial in achieving equitable and inclusive education for all," said Shweta Sastri, Managing Director, Canadian International School, Bengaluru.