Education Budget 2022: Expert Reactions to FM's Budget Speech - PM eVIDYA to Digital Infra for Education

Education Budget 2022: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Union Budget 2022 today in the Parliament. The annual Budget 2022 contained some key measures and announcement for education sector that can help it recover from the impact of the pandemic and help India create skilled and trained workforce for an Aatmanirbhar Bharat of the future. From new Digital University to expansion of PM eVIDYA and One Class One Channel – FM announced a series of measures of Education Sector in Budeget 2022. Here’s what Educational Experts and Academicians say about FM’s Budget Speech and how effective it will to revive Education Sector.

Expert Opinions Follow

Focus on Skilling, Reskilling And Upskilling

The Union Budget gives an impetus to skilling, reskilling and upskilling so as to stay relevant and align with Industry requirements. The Government has taken into consideration profound steps to ensure skilling programs are reoriented for youth through Digital DESH e-portal, which will improve employment prospects that can also help in boosting economic growth. Additionally, the introduction of the ‘Gift City- World’ initiative will allow students to learn and be equipped from world-class institutions, while also providing an expansive option of academic disciplines for them to consider and pursue career goals in FinTech science, technology, engineering etc. This focus on the technology skilling with the outcome as a critical part is a direction that is very heartening to see. As a long-standing e-skilling partner of the government, we look forward to working together towards achieving the best possible outcomes.

Subramanyam Reddy, Founder and CEO, KnowledgeHut

Cascading Effect of 5G Roll out on EdTech

The Union Budget prioritises economic growth, as the Indian economy inches towards normalcy after surviving the recent Omicron wave. Continued emphasis on mobile connectivity and broadband for economic development, ahead of the 5G rollout, will have a cascading effect on the growth of edtech in India. The proposal of the digital university is a pathbreaking initiative that is in line with the requirements of the post-pandemic world. Moreover, expansion of PM eVIDYA using the Internet, mobile phones, TV and radio mediums and emphasis on the newer technologies like blockchain, drones, etc., will pave the way for harnessing these technologies in the education sector. Reorientation of skilling schemes is a welcome step if we were to realise the advantage of the demographic dividend. While much will hinge on the implementation of these measures, the Budget marks a formidable effort to usher in tech-enabled growth."

Mr Rohit Manglik, CEO, EduGorilla.

Digital Infra and Upgradation of Anganwadis

Two important points on education are worth highlighting in the Union Budget.

• Digital infrastructure: due to the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak, the whole education system had to shift online. Teaching every child was the biggest challenge any school could face. Through One Class, One Channel, it will become much easier to reach every child.
• Second is the upgradation of Anganwadis: they are usually taken as daycare centres, but it is a base for any education system. Equal importance should be given to early childhood education as well. That said, the implementation of these measures should be effective and time-bound.

Dr Maithili Tambe, CEO, The Academy School, Maharashtra

PM eVIDYA to be a Boost for EdTech and Content Development

EdTech and content development will see a higher demand after the announcement of dedicated TV channels, especially in regional languages. Along with that the E- registration, and E- admission measures will strengthen the system and make education more easily accessible for the students. As education sector tries to recover from the impact of the pandemic, these new announcements in the 2022 budget will strengthen the education ecosystem and help India in becoming more Aatmanirbhar in the upcoming days."

Manish Mohta, Managing Director, Learning Spiral

Also Read: Budget 2022: Decoding FM’s Speech for Govt Job Exams | Current Affairs

Advantage To Students in Global Competitive Landscape

Union Budget 2022 has given the education sector much needed impetus to aid learning for children while from the safety of their home in this COVID era. Expansion of PM eVidya for school children and introduction of 200 new TV Channels for Supplementary Education will bridge the education gap. The launch of new Digital University will make the young generation access world-class quality education and give them the much needed in global competitive landscape. The budget has opened up the door for Women under the scheme Mission Shakti, Mission Vatsalya, and Mission Anganwadi giving opportunities for women to skill and get financially stable” –

Dr. Neelima Kamrah, Principal - KIIT World School Gurugram.

Physical Schooling Ignored in Budget 2022

Overall, this has been a progressive budget as it accelerates the government’s efforts towards inclusive and sustainable development. As an educator, I welcome the emphasis on creating digital and free-to-air channels of education. However, at the same time, the budget appears to circumvent physical schooling. I sincerely hope that is not the case. While online learning was inevitable due to the Covid-19 pandemic, it would never be as effective as offline learning, which brings out the best in students in terms of learning outcome and performance. Online education can at best only play a supplementary role in education. I would have also loved to see a greater focus on improving the teaching and learning processes in our schools vis-a-vis infrastructure and tech-enabled curriculum. Going forward, I hope there will be policy changes in that direction.

Mr Sumeet Mehta Co-founder and CEO of LEAD

Disclaimer: The Opinions expressed in this story are of the respective experts and do not express the views or opinions of Jagranjosh.com.

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