Education fund to be hiked by 35%

The government has proposed to increase the allocation for school education by about 35 per cent.

In 2007-08, an amount of Rs 23,142 crore (Rs 231.42 billion) has been allocated as against Rs 17,133 crore (Rs 171.33 billion) in 2006-07.

Presenting the Union Budget for 2007-08, the Finance Minister P Chidambaram elaborated that out of this amount, Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan would be provided Rs 10,671 crore (Rs 106.71 billion).

He further announced that the provision for strengthening teachers training institutions would be increased from Rs 162 crore (Rs 1.62 billion) to Rs 450 crore (Rs 4.5 billion).

Next year, 200,000 more teachers will be appointed and 500,000

more classrooms will be constructed.

The Mid-day Meal Scheme would be provided Rs 7,324 crore (Rs 73.24 billion) next year, he added.

Besides, the transfer to Prarambhik Shiksha Kosh will increase from Rs 8,746 crore (Rs 87.46 billion) to Rs10,393 crore (Rs 103.93 bilion).

The Finance Minister further proposed to double the provision for secondary education from Rs 1,837 crore (Rs 18.37 billion) in 2006-07 to Rs 3,794 crore (Rs 37.94 billion) in 2007-08.