Union Budget 2026: Why Teachers, Technology, And Skills Must Be Budget Priorities - Experts Review

Every year, India's Finance Minister presents the Union Budget in Parliament on February 1.

For the financial year 2026-27, the Union Budget 2026 will be tabled on Sunday, February 1, 2026, at 11 am, marking the first time in India's history that the Union Budget is being presented on a Sunday.

As the country prepares for this significant moment, education experts are urging the government to use the budget to strengthen learning quality, teacher development, and job-ready skills.

Rather than focusing only on infrastructure and enrolment figures, experts believe the emphasis should be on improving learning outcomes and aligning education with future workforce needs, especially for students in smaller towns and rural areas.

With one of the world's largest youth populations, the upcoming budget is seen as a crucial opportunity to turn this demographic advantage into long-term economic growth.

Teachers, Technology and Holistic Learning Take Centre Stage

Shweta Sastri, Managing Director of Canadian International School, Bangalore, expressed optimism that education will receive sustained and future-oriented attention in the upcoming budget. She said nurturing well-rounded learners depends on strengthening teaching quality, improving infrastructure, and encouraging innovation, while keeping holistic development at the core.

She highlighted the need for continued investment in teacher training, modern classrooms, and technology-enabled learning spaces to promote inclusion, curiosity, and critical thinking.

According to her, empowering educators through regular professional development and digital upskilling must remain a priority, as teachers form the foundation of any strong education system.

Sastri also noted that higher budgetary allocations could help establish new K-12 schools, upgrade educational infrastructure, and reduce the urban-rural education gap.

This would be particularly impactful for government schools that educate the majority of children across the country. She further emphasised the importance of strengthening STEM education and introducing skill-based, application-focused learning from an early stage to help students build future-ready skills.

Technology integration, she said, should continue to expand access to high-quality and personalised learning, while measures such as lowering interest rates on education loans and encouraging international partnerships can improve access to higher education and strengthen India's global education standing.

Turning Policy Vision into Measurable Outcomes

Echoing similar expectations, Niru Agarwal - Managing Trustee of Greenwood High International School, said the education sector is currently at a decisive stage. While recent policy reforms have laid a strong foundation, she believes the Union Budget must now focus on delivering clear and measurable outcomes.

She stressed the importance of expanding access to education, strengthening student upskilling, and building technological capabilities to meet the evolving needs of both learners and educators. Giving special attention to rural and underserved regions, she said, would help empower teachers and improve learning outcomes.

Ms. Agarwal also underlined the need to strengthen skill-based education to ensure closer alignment between academic learning and industry requirements. Encouraging greater participation of women in STEM fields, she added, would be an important step toward building a more inclusive workforce.

A strong blended learning ecosystem-combining digital tools, physical infrastructure, and experiential learning-can further enhance student preparedness. Highlighting the value of public-private partnerships, she said such collaborations can help improve quality, expand access, and enhance efficiency across the education system.

Reaffirming that education is the foundation of national progress, she said the Union Budget 2026 presents an important opportunity to address current challenges while shaping a dynamic and future-ready education system.