From addressing infrastructural needs to enhancing capabilities, the budget is expected to hold a better promise of shaping a more inclusive and robust system.
Among the various segments of Indian education, skill-based learning is being emphasised a lot in the recent years. In the upcoming Budget, it is expected that the Central Government will lay more emphasis on this area.
Focus on vocational training and apprenticeships
The New Education Policy (NEP) 2020 envisions vocational courses to be available to students enrolling in all Bachelor’s degree programmes. Therefore, it is expected that the Budget will emphasize vocational training and apprenticeships.
Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Vice Chancellor of the World University of Design, India’s first and only university dedicated to education in the creative domain, discusses the importance of focusing on skill-based education. He suggests that developing vocational training and apprenticeship programs is essential for providing hands-on experience and ensuring job readiness for aspiring candidates, especially in creative sectors.
“In today’s digital age, it is essential to equip creative professionals with advanced digital skills to stay competitive,” says Dr. Sanjay.
Additionally, he emphasizes that developing flexible work visa programmes for international creative talent will enrich our cultural and creative landscape, promoting a vibrant and dynamic economy.
“As we approach the upcoming budget, it is imperative that we recognize the transformative power of creativity and design thinking. Integrating these elements into school curricula will nurture the next generation of innovators. We also urge the government to incentivize specialized higher education programs in creative fields, fostering a skilled and imaginative workforce,” says Dr. Sanjay
Focus on Skill Development and Future Readiness
The National Education Policy 2020 also encourages the integration of technology in the teaching-learning process across all levels of education, including skill development.
Along the same lines, Akshay Munjal, Founder and CEO of Hero Vired, which aims to create highly skilled professionals for both the present and future, emphasizes the importance of developing a robust tech infrastructure and fostering digital skills.
He believes that the budget should prioritize investments in AI hubs, centers of excellence, and regulatory frameworks for the EdTech sector, which will equip the workforce with essential digital skills, preparing them for future job markets and positioning India as a global leader in technological innovation and education.
“Our policies must equip our workforce with essential digital skills and technologies, enabling India to spearhead global advancements,” says Mr. Munjal.
Emphasis on Green Education, Skilling, and AI
Manav Subodh, Founder of 1M1B (One Million for One Billion), an organization that focuses on skilling, green education, and AI, suggested that the government should encourage the PPP model in green skilling and should set up Green Skill Academies in different states to address the immediate need to equip 1 crore youth with green skills by 2025, integrating these programs with the Skill India Mission.
“This will not only create jobs in the burgeoning green economy but also help India meet its climate commitments. Additionally, the budget should create a dedicated fund and provide incentives for climate technology and AI startups,” observes Subodh.
