So, where is the money?

Posted by Ninad on April 26, 2010 under All Posts | Read the First Comment

With the Right to Education becoming a fundamental right, a question asked by many educationist is  — How much will it cost the government to implement? And, where will it get all the money?

It has been estimated that the government will require around Rs. 171,000 crores over the next five years.

The Thirteenth Finance Commission has provided for Rs. 25,000 crores to the States over five years for implementation of Right to Education. This is over and above allocations for centrally sponsored schemes like Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, teacher education and the mid-day meal scheme, which is the largest of its kind in the world.

For the current year, the allocation is Rs. 15,000 crores and the centre will bear upto 55 per cent of this.

Already, many State governments have raised a hue and cry over this stating that they do not have money to implement and comply with the Right to Education. They have asked the Central government to provide more funds.

The Prime Minister and the Minister for HRD have clearly stated that money constraints will not derail Right to Education. This clearly shows intent on the part of the government.

However, there is still a yawning gap. Who will fill it?

  • Share/Bookmark

Tags: , , , , ,

  • Ayan said,

    The gap clearly is huge, but the government can initiate a few small steps towards fulfilling it. To start with, bring in an education bond with a guaranteed return -a little higher than prevailing bank FD rates. And provide certain benefits like deduction from taxable income and tax free maturity. A similar gesture has been shown towards infrastructure bonds in budget 2010. If it becomes a “compulsory option”, significant percentage of India’s tax paying population of 3 crore will get attracted.

    For greater Public Private Partnership, government can offer tax benefit for investments in primary education in backward areas. Companies need not look at this exercise only as CSR, but also as a business opportunity. Primary education needs minimal investment in terms of infrastructure; in return it offers considerable volume. Companies need to see this as an opportunity to “educate the mass, profitably”.

    Right to education will need some wishful thinking government’s part- hope it has started by now.

Add A Comment

home top