Union Budget: Qualitative strengthening of 15,000 schools to include all components of NEP

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, February 1

Under the Budget 2021-22 announced by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday, more than 15,000 schools will include all components of the National Education Policy to be qualitatively strengthened, and enable them to emerge as exemplar schools in their regions, handhold and mentor other schools to achieve the goals of the policy.

The Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs also stated that 100 new Sainik Schools will be setup in partnership with NGOs/private schools/states.

The Finance Minister also proposed to set up a Higher Education Commission of India as an umbrella body having four separate vehicles for standard setting, accreditation, regulation and funding.

“Many of our cities have various research institutions, universities, and colleges supported by the Government of India. Hyderabad for example, has about 40 such major institutions. In nine such cities, we will create formal umbrella structures so that these institutes can have better synergy, while also retaining their autonomy. A glue grant will be set aside for this purpose,” she said.

She also proposed to set up a Central University in Leh for accessible higher education in Ladakh.