Mumbai: Teachers, principals and educationists are unhappy with the Budget as they feel the education sector has been neglected. The government has failed to resolve the issue of payment of salaries, pensions and financial aid but wants to focus on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and adding infrastructure for higher education, lamented educators. In this year’s budget, `93,848 crore has been allocated to the education, a `10,000 crore hike from last year.
Teachers said the government should tackle financial issues at the ground level, in schools and colleges. Nandita Sharma, a teacher, said, “We, in government-aided schools and colleges, have not received our pays but there is no mention on payment of dues.” Soumyo Mukherjee, the dean of student affairs, IIT-B, said, “I have not seen the budget, as there is no provision for allocation of funds, especially for the education sector.” Vaibhav Narvade, a Mumbai University senate member said, “Funds are needed for higher education, as there is a rise in courses and opportunities.
Also, teachers’ training and skill development is an important field in the school education sector which has been neglected.” Experts claimed there is a difference in making budgetary allocations and their implementation. Anil Deshmukh, the Shikshan Sanghatana leader, said, “It is good there is a 13% hike in funds for the sector. But these must be used for students, teachers and improving the system.
