The Union Budget 2021-22 was presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on February 1, 2021 wherein she announced the allocation of Rs.93,224.31 crore for education this year. The budget highlighted the implementation plan of the National Education Policy 2020, establishment of a central university in Leh, 100 Sainik schools, 750 Eklavya schools, launch of Mission Poshan 2.0, National Language Translation Mission, etc.
Here are some other key takeaways for the education sector from the Union Budget 2021:
- The legislation is set to implement a Higher Education Commission – it will be an umbrella body with four verticals to oversee standard-setting, accreditation, regulation, and funding.
- National Professional Standards for Teachers (NPST) to be developed to set standards for school teachers. This will impact around 92 lakh public and private school teachers.
- A National Digital Educational Architecture (NDEAR) will be set up to support teaching and learning activities and will further help in educational planning, governance and administrative activities of the Centre and the States/ Union Territories.
- Union government will work on standardising Indian sign language across the country and develop curriculum to be used in this language.
- National Initiative for School Heads and Teachers for Holistic Advancement (NISTHA) will train 56 lakh school teachers in 2021-22 digitally.
- CBSE Board exam reforms will be introduced in a phased manner from 2022-23. Exams will be based on conceptual clarity, analytical skills and application of knowledge to real-life situations.