With the government deciding to implement the Right To Education Act from April this year, the allocation for education sector witnessed an over 25 per cent increase in the budget with the major chunk of the funds going to elementary education.
The total allocation for education increased from Rs 36,400 crore in 2009-10 to Rs 45,711 crore in 2010-11.
In the backdrop of the decision to implement the Right To Education Act from April, the allocation for elementary education, which was Rs 26,800 crore last year, has been increased to Rs 34,711 crore this year. This money includes Rs 3,675 crore earmarked under the Thirteenth Finance Commission grants for 2010-11.
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The allocation for higher education has gone up from Rs 9,600 crore last year to Rs 11,000 crore this year.
Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee said the UPA government was committed to inclusive development and it has been followed-up with the enactment of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009.
This Act provides for a framework for legal entitlements for all children in the age group of six to 14 years to education of good quality, based on principles of equity and non-discrimination, he said.
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As the government has started reforms in higher education by setting up of an overarching authority and accreditation agency, the budget made an allocation of Rs 40 crore for the purpose.