Budget 2010: Education gets a 16pc allocation hike

New Delhi, Feb 26: The Union Budget 2010-11 announced a major allocation increment of 16 per cent for school education.

Presenting the budget in the parliament on Friday, Feb 26, Pranab Mukherjee said, "I propose to increase the plan allocation for school education from Rs 26,800 crore in 2009-10 to Rs 31,036 crore in 2010-11"

This accounts for an increase of Rs 4,236 crore from the 2009-10 fiscal.

"In addition, states will have access to Rs 3,675 crore for elementary education under the 13th Finance Commission grants for 2010-11," the finance minister added.

He went on to say, "The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 creates a framework for legal entitlements for all children in the age group of 6 to 14 years to education of good quality, based on principles of equity and non-discrimination.

"In recent years, Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan has made significant contribution in improving enrollment and infrastructure for elementary education. About 98 per cent of habitations are now covered by primary schools."

OneIndia News