FM announces Union Budget 2022: Highlights for education sector

-Reshma Ravishanker

• Digital University has been proposed to allow students to access quality content with a personalised approach. World Class educational institutions will deliver quality education, personalised or individual needs at one’s doorstep. The best public universities will collaborate on a Hub and Spoke model basis for this. 
• Under the PM E-Vidya programme, as against the previously existing 12 channels, the number of channels to be increased to 200. This is targeted at providing supplementary education to all students between classes 1-12 in regional languages. This is done as government acknowledges learning loss incurred during the pandemic. 
• Saksham Anganwadis scheme proposed under which 2 lakh Anganawadis across the country will be upgraded to have better audio-visual teaching aids and support devices and technology powered by clean energy. 
• AICTE to take lead to improve syllabus and help commence Urban Planning Courses in higher education institutions. 
• In vocational courses, to promote crucial critical thinking skills, to give space for creativity, 750 virtual labs in science and mathematics, and 75 skilling e-labs for simulated learning environments, will be set-up in 2022-23.
• High-quality e-content in all spoken languages will be developed for delivery via internet, mobile phones, TV and radio through Digital Teachers.
• The government has proposed a competitive mechanism for development of quality e-content by the teachers will be set-up to empower and equip them with digital tools of teaching and facilitate better learning outcomes
• In vocational courses, to promote crucial critical thinking skills, to give space for creativity, 750 virtual labs in science and mathematics, and 75 skilling e-labs for simulated learning environments, will be set-up in 2022-23.
• High-quality e-content in all spoken languages will be developed for delivery via internet, mobile phones, TV and radio through Digital Teachers.
• The government has proposed a competitive mechanism for development of quality e-content by the teachers will be set-up to empower and equip them with digital tools of teaching and facilitate better learning outcomes

Also read: Union Budget 2021-22: Bare cupboard for world’s high-potential children