Village school master is alone

The Economic Survey finds that the government isn’t walking the talk. Education’s share in total government expenditure is on a downward spiral. It fell from 10% in 2002-03 to 9.8% in 2003-04 (BE)—revised to 9.1% in 2003-04 (RE). The share dips to 9.4% in 2004-05 (BE).

Spending 6% of GDP too is a distant dream. In 2003-04 (BE), expenditure on education, Centre and states, was 3.74% of GDP. Departing from practice, the Survey uses budget estimates. When calculated using revised estimates, education’s share is 3% of GDP, in keeping with the trend.

It isn’t a pretty picture. On March 1, 2002 there were 20.5 crore children between 6 and 14 years. Of these 19.2 crore were enrolled. Enrollment figures drops to 3.32 crore for the 14 to 18 years group. A further dip in enrollment figure for the tertiary sector—92 lakh (2002-03). Indicative of the education infrastructure’s problem in retaining students.

In this gloomy scenario, the Survey finds few bright spots. Number of upper primary schools increased from 2.2 lakh in 2001-02 to 2.45 lakh in 2002-03. Enrollment at primary and upper primary levels is up.

Scondary school enrollment is up at 3.32 crore (2002-03) from 3.05 crore (2001-02). Higher education enrollment is up from 72.6 lakh (1997-98) to 95.1 lakh (2003-04).

The euphoria vanishes. High drop-out rate between class six and eight—52.8% in 2002-03—presents a problem. There is good news, drop-out rate is down from 54.6% in 2001-02.

Driving home the fact, that it isn’t enough to just spend more on education, but to spend it well. The survey suggests a shift of focus from funds allocated and spent to effective management and delivery.