Beneficiaries and budgeting- Involving schools in decision making
A National budget of Rs 68, 960 crore was set aside for education and mid day meals with an aim of addressing the quality in primary education and further improve retention of students at school level. There is an equal focus on skill development to enhance employability prospects to equip the young generation with the skills required to excel at industry work. Allocation in the skill development sector will lead to job creation at the bottom of the pyramid which is dominated with youth from various backgrounds.
Although funds are allocated for education improvement, planning and spending on projects that impact student’ lives take enormous time. Instances of budgets lapsing due to improper and late planning are many. Lack of drive and time to study the ground issues before assigning for education interventions are the main reasons for poor planning and weak outcomes.
Education quality is an important indicator of social and economic health of a country. The education policies often focus on enrolment and attendance than on sustainability and retention. There are very few policies that guide the boys retention in schools, there are hardly any that focus on their completion of school education. Involvement of educationists in budget making will go a long way in addressing fundamental issues in schools.
The bureaucrats and the officials dealing with the GoI education ventures have to be dynamic and sensitive to the needs of students studying in public schools. Although the budget is allocated by the central government, reaching the same to the beneficiaries, mainly the poor students is a major issue. Delay in deliberations and decision making often lead to delayed progress.
Citizen engagement is necessary in planning for impact projects. Explaining the process of budgeting and procurement is not necessary when the understanding of “how” is given to common man. When the citizens are engaged in the development of their community, funds are effectively used.
The education specialists who understand the implications of education process better can guide the speedy disbursal of funds to schools. Dealing with budgets is not the prerogative of the finance team alone. Education experts and administrators can actually change the quality of education through sharing and collaborative planning. Allocating becomes easier and spending more meaningful when the education goals of the country are considered. There can be two plans of action, a strategic plan by the educationists, outlining all strategies for education development and a supportive financial plan by the authorities with budget details. When the education experts design the project outlay with schools as microcosm units of education it has a long term bearing on the successful student outcomes.
Participatory budgeting for education component has a positive influence on improving school facilities and student scores. An understanding that the government funds are public resources induces a sense of responsibility among students. Participatory budgeting and transparency enhances the belief of students in democracy and the ideals of the country.
A simple system of voting can gather a solid evidence of public opinion. By collating the stakeholders’ views and ideas, the common trend of thinking can be analysed and used in allocating for various plans and sub plans. Schools are the temples of learning. When the destiny of millions of students is at stake, their involvement in deciding what projects benefit them and what money should be assigned will go a long way in building their skills that are required to reach the aspiration of “Make in India”.
Transparency, citizen engagement at grass root level, involvement of beneficiaries will help in the formulation of realistic plans and budget with practical cost effective solutions. The attitude that locals and school stakeholders cannot help in developing budgets should be shunned. Occasionally their simple suggestions surprise many planners. A transparent decision making process ensures that all stakeholders understand the reasoning and logical conclusions behind spending on education components, this leads to greater rapport between denizens and decision makers and leaves less scope for scams and scandals.
Ms Anitha Jagathkar
Director, Education Interventions,
Saburi Education Solutions
