Punjab Budget 2012-13 and Education

EDUCATION has been projected by the Punjab Government as a thrust area in its budget for 2012-13. Yet, the allocation for the crucial sector at 2.5 per cent of the GSDP falls short of the 3 per cent recommended by experts. The reason why the government is able to set aside so little is that around 80 per cent of its revenue goes towards committed liabilities such as salaries — an indicator of low work-to-manpower ratio. This is patently evident from the figure the budget has given for expenditure per student per year: Rs 26,526. Most private schools in small towns give far better education at a lower expense.

The quality of education being imparted to students in the state is the major concern. In today’s world, to improve literacy figures is not enough. Given the high aspirations of Punjabi youth, they also have to be equipped for that. The government in the past five years hired a large number of teachers, yet their quality and distribution leaves much to be answered. The poor standard of students being turned out by schools results in low enrolment in higher education. At 11.12 per cent, it is lower than even the national average of 12.4 despite Punjab being among the high per-capita income states.
Spheres with a high Central aid component — such as Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan and technical education — have received a reasonable boost over the previous year while some of the state’s own initiatives have only received token service. Adarsh Schools is one such. The state is to contribute up to Rs 3.75 crore per school and give 70 per cent of the recurring expenses. The allocation of Rs 25 crore for the already failing scheme can in no way achieve the goal of one school per block. The handing out of tablets to Class 12 students is a feel-good gesture alright, but of little meaning till a culture of using IT as an education tool is built. Getting functional computers in every school should be the priority. It is we moved on from symbolism to real learning.