Education budget downsized by 20%
State sees consistent decline in budget allocations for education since formation
The move to downsize the
2021-22 Telanana state budget by 20 per cent could impact the education sector the worst. The decision for a downsize was taken in view of the sharp fall in revenue, of the order of `50,000 crore, due to the lockdown other hassles linked to the
Covid-19.
Experts take note and say that this budget too is likely to see a neglect of the education sector as has been happening in the past seven years. “The cutting down of the budget size this time will hurt the education sector more. Schools got little attention in recent years. “The scenario might worsen now,” feared Chava Ravi, general secretary of the Telangana state united teachers’ front (TSUTF).
Such fears were echoed also by Centre for Education Services (CESS) chairman, Nagati Narayana, who said “the first victim of this budget downsizing may be the education sector.” Since
2014-15, the education sector has seen a steady decline.
“The KCR government, which took power in June, 2014, needs to realise that it has a responsibility towards not just the government-funded schools, but also the residential schools in the state. This sector is facing serious odds due to the shift to online education and a long break from physical classes,” he said.
Notably, the state budget for the 2020-21 fiscal year had allocated just 6.69 per cent of the total outlay to the education sector, making it the state’s lowest ever in terms of percentage.
Of the projected outlay of nearly ` 1.83 lakh crore, just `12,144crore was set aside for the education sector last year. In 2019-20, the budget allocation for education was `12,220 crore, or 6.76 per cent of the total budget.
The state has seen a consistent decline in education budget allocations ever since its formation in
2014. While in the 2014-15 state budget, the education budget accounted for
10.89 per cent of the total
`1,00,637 crore; in 2015-16, it came down to 9.69 per cent. In 2016-17, it was further reduced to 8.23 per cent; It fell to 8,49 per cent in 2017-18, and there was a major drop to 7.61 per cent in 2018-19 and to 6.76 per cent in the 2019-20 Budget. Finally, in 2020-21, it came down to just 6.69 per cent.
There has been no comment on the possible impact of this development from the ministry or the state department of education. A senior official in the education department said that the chief minister is holding talks with all departments and will take a financial decision on allotment of funds for various sectors.
THERE HAS been no comment on the possible impact of this development from the ministry or the state department of education. A senior official in the education department said that the chief minister is holding talks with all departments and will take a financial decision on allotment of funds for various sectors.