An Overview of the Education Sector of the Union Budget 2021

Several measures have been taken by the Government of India to safeguard the weaker and impuissant sections of the society particularly during the pandemic. Education and employment are the two major factors that were kept in mind while structuring the Union Budget. There were many important announcements made for the education sector in the budget. 

Speaking on the above, Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs Smt. Nirmala Sitaraman said “I wish to lay a vision for AtmaNirbhar Bharat. AtmaNirbharta is not a new idea, as ancient India was largely self reliant. AtmaNirbhar Bharat is a proclamation of 130 crores Indians who  are fully confident about their capabilities and skills”. 

 The Government of India has also committed to take several steps in order to reform assessments, including reforms in Board examinations and conceptual learning. While introducing the Union Budget 2021-22 in Parliament on February 1, 2021, Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs Smt. Nirmala Sitaraman announced that the existing National Apprenticeship Training Scheme (NATS) will be realigned with a fund of over Rs. 3,000 crores.

National Apprenticeship Training Scheme Amendment 2021

The National Apprenticeship Training Scheme was launched in 2016. It was launched by the Government of India in which there were a number of skills and development programmes to benefit the students of India. It is a tremendous initiative through which the students can upgrade their skills to seek better employment opportunities. This scheme has been realigned in the 2021-2022 Union Budget, in order to enhance apprenticeship opportunities for the youth. Under the scheme, 3,000 crores will be provided to train graduates and diploma holders in Engineering. 

Under the scheme, training will be offered by the top notch companies. The scheme will work as a bridge between employer’s requirements and a pool of student’s talent. This prioritization of skilling will make students job-ready, in their respected domains. 

No. of students covered under the scheme is 1074673

No. of industries involved in the scheme is 13813

No. of institutions covering the scheme is 2669 

Benefits of NATS : 

• It's a one year programme open to all degree/diploma holders.
• This is a flagship programme introduced by the Government of India to skill up youth of the nation.
• It provides technical education by giving practical knowledge and skills in the respective domain.
• This is served by the organization (Central, State or Private) at the workplace only. 
• Industry experts well acquainted with training modules will ensure the performance of apprentices. 
• The apprentices get a stipend of whose 50% amount is reimbursed by the Government of India.
• A certificate of proficiency by the Government of India, is issued to the apprentice which validates his/her employment experience. 

Other Major Announcements of the Union Budget 2021-22 

Collaboration for strengthening the Education System

The Union Budget 2021 stresses on the importance of the need to collaborate with foreign institutions to strengthen and drive notable progress in the education system. The collaboration of India with UAE would benchmark assessment, skill qualification, certification, and to keep our skills up to date with respect to global trends. There is a collaborative Training Inter Training Programme (TITS) in collaboration with Japan that will be facilitating transfer of knowledge, techniques, industrial and vocational skills of Japan. This initiative will be taken forward with more such countries in future. To encourage improved academic collaboration with foreign institutions for higher education a regulatory mechanism would put in place to allow dual/joint degrees, twinning arrangements and more such mechanisms.  

Set Up of New Institutions to Edify the Education System

Set up of a New Central University in Leh, to uplift higher education. Set up of 100 Sainik schools will take place in partnership with states, NGOs, and private schools. In tribal areas, 750 Eklavya Model residential schools will be set up to create a robust education facility for tribal students. 

Amendments to Enlighten School Education

The Union Budget 2021 primarily focuses on skill development. Its emphasis on transforming the learning framework from a traditional approach to an advanced and evolved pedagogical approach for K12 students. All the components of New Education Policy (NEP) will be included in 15,000 schools for their qualitative strengthening. To attain the standards of NEP, these schools will further mentor other schools of their respective locality. A post-matric scholarship will be redesigned for the welfare of Scheduled Caste Students that are 4 crore in number. Rs. 35,219 crore will be spent till 2026 to achieve this goal.  Allocation for Kendriya Vidyalayas have been increased from Rs. 5,516 crore to 6,800 crore. Mid-day schemes and Navodaya Vidyalas allocation have been increased by Rs. 500 crore each.