Chandigarh, June 27
With emphasis on strengthening and institutionalising teachers, the government has increased budgetary outlay of 16.27% in the school and higher education sector. However, teachers’ unions have called it an “anti-employee” Budget as there is no mention of the Old Pension Scheme and regularisation of contractual teachers.
Rs 40 cr for e-classrooms
- Rs 200 cr for upgrade of 100 schools as ‘Schools of Eminence’
- Rs 40 cr for digital classrooms in 500 govt schools in Phase
- Rs 100 cr for installation of rooftop solar panels in schools
The government claimed a change in approach was being adopted whereby emphasis would not only be laid on improving the existing infrastructure and introduction of the state-of-the-art school buildings with modern gadgets, but also on strengthening and institutionalising the capabilities of teachers and principals. The Finance Minister said increased budgetary outlay of 16.27% had been provided for school and higher education in FY 2022-23.
Besides, focus would be on developing basic amenities such as general cleanliness, potable drinking water, clean toilets, fans and light arrangements and tiny repairs.
By spending Rs 123 crore, the government proposed to post ‘estate managers’ for a cluster of schools, so that while the principals remained focused on academics, basic and necessary repairs got immediate attention. The government further allocated Rs 30 crore to impart short-term and medium-term training through reputed agencies/institutions of India and abroad.
To equip students for future challenges, the government had identified 100 existing schools that were proposed to be upgraded as “Schools of Eminence” at cost of Rs 200 crore. It proposed to establish modern digital classrooms in 500 government schools in Phase I. An allocation of Rs 40 crore had been made for this during this financial year. Further, Rs 100 crore had been kept for installation of the rooftop solar panel system in government schools. Besides, uniforms for all students would be provided up to class VIII. Currently, all girls and SC/ ST/BPL boys from class I to VIII studying in government schools were being provided with uniform.
Digvijay Pal Sharma of the Democratic Teachers Front said despite change in the government, there was nothing new in the Budget as it remained anti-employee. He said though the government claimed to have taken several initiatives, it failed to protect the interest of teachers as no reference had been made to the Old Pension Scheme or regularisation of teachers on contract.
Punjab Budget: Focus on capacity-building of teachers, school infra
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