Budget 2022 Expectations: From access to laptops at schools, universities to support to EdTech startups - check budget wishlist for education sector

Union Budget 2022: With just a week left for the Union Budget 2022, all the sectors are waiting for the announcements so that it can be favourable for them. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the Union Budget 2022 on February 1, 2022.

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Zee Business reporter Anjali Pandey has reporter about the expectation from the education sector in the upcoming Union Budget.

As the country moves forwards to 2022 with a new pandemic unfolding, it has become clear that education technology will play a significant role in the sector. With the unpredictable nature of the current times, it is important to adapt to these times and bring changes in the teaching assessments, pedagogies, and learning environments at both school and university levels.

It is expected that the government will keep certain things in mind while announcing the education budget. They are as follows:

1) Access to laptops at schools and university levels - As the times are changing with COVID-19, it has made the significant sectors dependent on the digital world. As a result, subsidized access to the laptops to all the students and the faculty members will be needed for the live or recorded instructions. If the government is able to provide subsidized access to laptops, the quality of education will receive a great boost.

2) Increase in internet infrastructure and access - Another important element that comes with the access to laptops at school and university levels is internet connection. Easy access to all forms of knowledge has become important and is now dependent in the high-quality internet. So, by giving access to free or subsidized internet, the government will be able to increase the access of students to e-resources.

3) Higher allocation towards education sector in overall budget - In 2021, the central Government had slashed its allocation towards Education by 6 per cent, amounting to a total allocation of Rs. 93,223 crores. However, in 2022, the government is expected to increase the allocation by around 10 percent since the last year’s reduction was attributed towards healthcare.

4) Access to research grants - As the National Education Policy aims at dismantling the man-made barriers, the universities in the country seek to adopt not only a liberal framework but also fostering strong research. The government is expected to bring the policy to allow graded access to research funds for high-quality education.

5) Support to EdTech Startups - EdTech Startups are the forerunners in disseminating the skills as well as the conceptual knowledge. However, the startups require financial support from the upcoming government budget in the form of funding support and longer-term tax exemptions.

In the previous budget, the main focus of the government was on health and rural infrastructure development. This year, the Omicron variant of COVID-19 has raised concerns amid the economic recovery in the economy.

 -The Union Budget 2022-23 is likely to be tabled on February 1, 2022 by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

 -This is the 4th Budget of the PM Narendra Modi-led NDA government in its second tenure.

 -The Budget 2022 will be presented around 11 am on 1st February 2022.