India's Budget 2012-13: Ain't Cuttin' Education - Highlights - The Times of India

Budget 2012-13: Education Highlights - The Times of India:

Budget 2012-13: Education Highlights


 Many feel the Budget is positive for the education sector, with good amounts allocated to higher education and school education exempted from service tax 

Pranab Mukherjee, finance minister, presented the Union Budget for the year 2012-13 on Friday, with reference to the state of the global economy and its impact on India. The Budget seems positive for the education sector, with good amounts allocated to higher education and school education exempted from service tax. 

Right to Education (RTE)-Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) received Rs 25, 555 crore allocation, showing an increase of 21.7%; while a 29% increase for Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan making it Rs 3,124 crore. 

As proposed, 6000 schools will be set up at block level as model schools in the 12th Five Year Plan. Besides, a Credit Guarantee Fund announced to be set up for better flow of credit to students. 

In his Budget speech, the finance minister said: "In the 12th Plan, 6,000 schools have been proposed to be set-up at block level as model schools to benchmark excellence. Of these, 2,500 will be set up under public-private-partnership (PPP)." 

An allocation of Rs 15, 850 crore was made for Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS)