Government to spend 16% more on school education

Updated on: Friday, February 26, 2010

New Delhi: The Union Budget for the next fiscal has pegged an outlay of Rs.31,036 crore for school education, an increase of Rs.4,236 crore from 2009-10, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee said.

"I propose to increase the plan allocation for school education from Rs.26,800 crore in 2009-10 to Rs.31,036 crore in 2010-11," Mukherjee said in his budget speech.

This means an increase of 16 percent in school education expenditure in the coming fiscal as against the current financial year.

"In addition, states will have access to Rs.3,675 crore for elementary education under the 13th Finance Commission grants for 2010-11," the minister added.

"The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 creates a framework for legal entitlements for all children in the age group of 6 to 14 years to education of good quality, based on principles of equity and non-discrimination."

"In recent years, Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) has made significant contribution in improving enrollment and infrastructure for elementary education. About 98 percent of habitations are now covered by primary schools," Mukherjee said.

Government to spend 16% more on school education

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