Education Spending Increased To 4.6% Of GDP, Target 6%: Javadekar

Prakash Javedkar, Union Human Resource Development Minister said on Sunday that the government expenditure on education has gone up from 3.8 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2014 to 4.6 percent during the NDA rule.

Educational infrastructure also is being expanded and reformed, the minister said at a convocation at D Y Patil University in Navi Mumbai.

He said that it is our priority than 6 percent of GDP should be allotted to education. While the total expenditure by central and state governments in 2014 on education was 3.8 percent of GDP, it has increased to 4.6 percent now. This showcases that they are progressing towards 6 percent.

He also added that they are making continuous efforts for improving and progressing educational facilities.  Seven new IIMs, seven new IITs, two new NITs (National Institutes of Technology), three central universities, and around 125 Kendriya Vidyalayas have been started. The SWAYAM portal provides 2,000 courses and just like ATM, this is ATL which means ‘Anytime Learning' for everyone for free.

He said that in spite of this, 32 educational channels have been launched while free coaching for the IIT Joint Entrance Exam is offered through IIT-PAL (Professor Assisted Learning) programme. The Union minister also said that the NDA government took a historic and effective decision of introducing graded autonomy while making sure quality education.

He also said that a new India is emerging under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership. He told the graduating students that they require to take a decision to live for society, this is necessary for a new India which is free of corruption, terrorism, uncleanliness, poverty, communalism, and casteism.

The BJP leader also offered limelight to over 200 of 900 universities in the country which have adopted Indian costume for convocation. He was confident that D Y Patil University also would conduct their convocation ceremony in Indian costume from next year.

By: Preeti Narula

Content: https://m.economictimes.com/industry/services/education/education-spend-rose-to-4-6-of-gdp-target-6-javadekar/amp_articleshow/68245671.cms