This year’s budget clearly reflected the importance that the government is giving to the youth of the country. And to this end, it showcased its continued thrust on the education sector and the willingness to accept the fact that there is a desperate need for reforms. To better the standards, there has to be a way to measure the quality of this sector. Setting up the innovation fund for secondary education segment is also a welcome step.

To concentrate on bettering the quality provided, the existing Study Webs of Active-Learning for Young Aspiring Minds platform will have 350 more online courses. The budget stated that Swayam focusing on three vital aspects like access, equity and quality will continue to provide a level playing field to students through a digital online learning platform.

Skill India Mission continues to be the centre stage in the budget allocated with Rs2,200 crore. Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Kendras, which is focused on vocational training and skill development, will now be extended to more than 600 districts. The budget also talked about the quality and market relevance in vocational training. It is hoped that this will help in reducing the time spent on re-training of the students by the industry and will be better equipped with the latest skills and processes needed for vocation.

This also announced the launch of the Strengthening for Industrial Value Enhancement programme. It will focus on improving the quality and market relevance of vocational training provided in ITIs and the apprenticeship programmes through industry cluster approach.

The finance minister announced the setting up of a National Testing Agency that will be solely responsible for conducting major entrance examinations. It is expected that all medical, engineering and other professional curses entrance examinations will come under its purview shortly.  For the healthcare sector, the budget has announced the setting up of two new AIIMS at Jharkhand and Gujarat and increased 5,000 postgraduate seats for medicine. This will address the acute shortage of healthcare resources in the country.

Autonomy of educational institutes are essential for innovation in learning as well as research and hence the proposed reforms in the University Grants Commission with a focus on accreditation and rankings are revolutionary steps that have the capability of transforming the higher education arena in the country, making it more globally competitive. In addition, they announced greater autonomy for educational institutions.

It is now hoped that most budgetary recommendations are immediately ratified and a system put in place where the mapping of the announced plans and the action can be monitored for ensuring that education sector.

The writer is Deputy Dean-Academics, Mahindra Ecole Centrale