NHRDC comes up with over Rs.450bn education sector proposal for 2019 budget
The National Human Resources Development Council (NHRDC) yesterday put forward an ambitious proposal for the upcoming budget 2019, which primarily aims to improve female workforce participation and quality of general education.
It pointed out the need for an allocation over Rs.450 billion for human capital development at macro level if any real progress is to be witnessed in the local talent pool.
The proposal has been prepared having adopted an analytical approach using past data, perspectives and outcomes of several NHRDC panels that worked on education related issues.
With the need for increasing female workforce being highlighted over the years, the NHRDC recommended the drafting of a roadmap for the same.
It was suggested that the roadmap explore the necessary national policy and labour reforms, HR policy interventions in the public and private sectors, incentivizing the private sector to hire more females, social sensitization through public debate via mass media and the required education reforms.
Currently the female labour force participation stands at 36 percent and it was recommended that the government set a goal to increase the participation rate to reach 40 percent by 2020.
On the general education front—taking into account both primary and secondary education—it was proposed to have increased focus on making provisions for computer labs at secondary school level so the number of secondary schools teaching science at A/L could be increased to about 1500 from the current 1000.
It was suggested for the elementary education (age 3 – 5) to come under the purview of the Education Ministry and provide the necessary infrastructure for the same.
It was also suggested to consider extending grants and loans to private sector providers so the current enrolment of 45 percent can be increased to about 80 percent.
Amongst other suggestions proposed was to equip schools to cater for students as individuals through a mentoring scheme.
For the tertiary, vocational and professional education space, it was suggested to have a ‘voucher’ system that would allow students to spend it at an education institution of their choice in addition to receiving a stipend of Rs. 5,000 – Rs. 10,000 per month.
Alongside motivating the private sector to be education providers given the availability of the proposed system, it was proposed to increase stipends of teachers based on performance.
While strengthening technology education to develop a work-ready workforce, the NHRDC opined a future-ready workforce could be achieved by redefining outcomebased learning.
Concerning university education, it was suggested to promote staff development with state sponsored scholarships for PHD qualifications, alongside making available provisions for international (or even national) placements and conference attendance.
In an effort to bring order into the private education space, the establishment of a ‘single window’ service was proposed.
To fund the above highlighted proposals, the NHRDC proposed allocation of Rs. 350.9 billion in the 2019 budget for general education whereas for post-secondary education it was proposed to allocate Rs.112.9 billion.