12th Plan to focus on quality of education through NMT

The government decided to focus upon improving access and quality of education after investing heavily in building schools and higher education infrastructure in the 11th Plan. The Budget 2012-13 is coming up with a National Mission for Teachers (NMT) and a Higher Education Credit Guarantee Authority to facilitate student loans. Approximately Rs 61,000 crore is expected to be allocated for the education sector this financial year and Rs 750 crore for NMT, that will help teachers upgrade their skills.

While Rs 46,000 crore is expected in allocation for the Department of School Education, another Rs 15,000 crore will go to the Department of Higher Education. The HRD ministry, however, had requested for nearly Rs 80,000 crore for school education and Rs 25,000 crore for higher education.

In the process, all Central Universities will be asked to set up a Department of Education. As of now, 30 of the 43 Central varsities do not have a Department of Education. Apart from that, the 66 Academic Staff Colleges will be revamped to offer refresher courses. Usage of ICT (information and communication technology) to help connect universities and share e-content across the country will be part of the Mission. While the Mission will take off this financial year, it will be consolidated over the 12th Plan period.

Concerned over the risk perception associated with student loans, the government will set up a Higher Education Credit Guarantee Authority to provide limited credit guarantees through risk pooling for educational loans obtained by students. Being put together by the Planning Commission and the HRD Ministry, this authority is envisaged as a body to facilitate loan provision to students and at the same time reduce the risk perception of scheduled public sector banks.

The HRD ministry also plans to extend the scope of assistance to state universities through an incentivizing plan in the year 2012-13.