Mumbai: The Maharashtra government has presented its budget for the school education department for the financial year 2025-26, with a substantial rise in funding compared to the previous year. The total allocation for the department has increased from Rs 78,587.17 crore in 2024-25 to Rs 86,220.31 crore in 2025-26, marking a significant growth of 9.71%.
The revenue expenditure for schools, which covers operational costs, salaries, scholarships, and school maintenance, has witnessed a considerable rise. The voted revenue expenditure has climbed from Rs 75,572.38 crore to Rs 83,113.62 crore. Additionally, the charged revenue expenditure, which includes interest payments and other committed liabilities, has gone up by Rs 133.32 crore.
On the other hand, capital expenditure, which funds infrastructure projects such as school buildings, digital classrooms, and sports facilities, has seen a notable reduction. of Rs 451 crore. This decline could impact the expansion of educational facilities, especially in rural and underdeveloped areas where new schools and better amenities are crucial.
A large portion of the budget is directed towards general education, covering primary, secondary, and higher education, as well as teacher training programmes. This sector has received Rs 83,115.52 crore, reflecting an increase from Rs 78,293.25 crore in the previous year.
The budget also includes provisions for social welfare schemes related to education, with a small increase from Rs 5.66 crore to Rs 6.17 crore. Additionally, secretariat social services, which cover administrative costs for the education sector, have seen an upward revision from Rs 21.71 crore to Rs 25.86 crore.
The overall increase in budgetary allocation for schools underlines the government's focus on improving learning conditions, supporting teachers, and ensuring better access to quality education. However, the decline in capital spending could hinder long-term growth, affecting the development of new school facilities and digital learning infrastructure.
While the budget provides more financial support for existing schools, the need for infrastructure expansion and modernisation remains a pressing concern.
