CH News
Ajay Kamath, State Secretary of AIDSO Karnataka, criticized the Union Budget’s allocation of Rs 1,48,000 crore for education, employment, and skill development during a statement released on Tuesday in Bengaluru.
Kamath highlighted that while the central government consolidates spending across sectors to showcase increased education funding, the reality falls short. Education’s allocation remains below 4% of the total budget, far from the 6% recommended by NEP 2020.
The most contentious aspect of the budget, according to Kamath, is the provision of loans to students in domestic institutions. This move, he argued, burdens students with debt instead of reducing fees or expanding public-funded institutions. Kamath condemned this approach, accusing the government of evading its duty to provide accessible education.
Additionally, the budget identifies 20 lakh students for skill development, which Kamath acknowledged as important but criticized for lacking a clear job creation strategy. Instead, the government plans internships with stipends as low as Rs5000 per month, which Kamath alleges will exploit students and benefit businesses without state funding support.
Kamath lamented the absence of measures to curb private coaching exploitation and highlighted the budget’s failure to address the student community’s financial burdens. AIDSO demands the government redirect education funds to strengthen public education and ensure equitable access for all students.
