With about a quarter of India's population being in the age of attending school and college, the advantage of the nation's demographic dividend can be recognised through a vital education and skill development eco-system. The quality of India's education will confine how the youth acquires the knowledge, skills, and expertise necessary for sustaining economic growth. In the Union Budget 2022, Nirmala Sitharaman, Union Finance Minister, made noteworthy announcements for the education sector – from developing the PM e-vidya scheme to undertaking a digital university. The budget also highlighted and promoted regional languages in online and offline learning. With the education reforms launched in the Budget 2022-23, the country's education system will instil a youth culture of research and innovation.
Education:
Due to the pandemic that caused schools' closure, children, specifically in the pastoral areas and those from scheduled castes and tribes and other more vulnerable sections, have lost nearly two years of formal education. Recognising the necessity to impart supplemental education and create a resilient mechanism for education delivery, specifically for the government schools, the government has expanded the 'one class-one TV channel' programme of PM eVidya from 12 to 200 TV channels. All states will deliver supplemental education since this will be available in local languages for classes 1-12. Seven hundred fifty virtual labs in mathematics and science and 75 e-labs for simulated learning environments will be set up in 2022-23 to facilitate vital critical thinking skills and give originality in vocational classes. Through digital teachers on the internet, mobile phones, TV and radio, high-quality e-content in all spoken languages will be designed.
For world-class quality universal education, a Digital University will be established to equip students across the nation with a personalised education experience in their homes. This will be made available in various ICT arrangements and Indian languages. The university will be constructed on a networked hub-spoke prototype, and the country's best public universities and institutions will unite as a web of hub spokes.
Skill development:
Collaboration with the industry and skilling programmes will reorient ongoing skilling avenues, sustainability, and employability. The dynamic industry requirements will align with the National Skill Qualification Framework (NSQF). The Digital Ecosystem for Skilling and Livelihood – the DESH-Stack portal will be established. Through online training, it will empower citizens to skill, reskill, or upskill. It will also provide Application Programming Interface (API) based authorised skill certificates, payment, and discovery layers to find appropriate positions and entrepreneurial opportunities.
Dharmendra Pradhan, Union Minister for Education and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, has praised the Union Budget 2022 as inclusive, forward-looking, and aspirational, laying the footing for the Amrit Kaal of the next 25 years. The education minister lauds the record budgetary allocation to the Ministry of Education of INR 104,277 crore in the FY 2022-23. The budgetary allocation witnessed a jump of 11.86 per cent.
