Allocation for Education Sector Increased by 20%

The total allocation for the education sector (including NER) has been increased by 20% from Rs. 28,674 crore in 2007-08 to Rs. 34,400 crore in 2008-09. Of this, Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) will be provided Rs. 13,100 crore; the Mid-day Meal Scheme will be provided Rs. 8000 crore; and secondary education will be provided Rs. 4,554 crore. The Finance Minister, Shri P. Chidambaram while presenting the General Budget 2008-09 in Lok Sabha today, pointed out that the focus of SSA would shift from access and infrastructure at the primary level to enhancing retention; improving quality of learning; and ensuring access to upper primary classes.

The Finance Minister said that a Model School programme, with the aim of establishing 6,000 high quality model schools, would be started in 2008-09. An amount of Rs. 650 crore has been proposed for the new scheme.

Source : Press Information Bureau

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