By Manjima Dhakal

Kathmandu, May 29: The government has allocated Rs 171.71 billion for the education, science and technology sector with a plan to develop modern society by developing human property, social transformation and economic growth.
This year the government decided to extend its Day Tiffin programme for community schools’ children up to Grade V across the country. Along with the announcement, 2.8 million children across the country will be benefitted. The government has allocated Rs 7.52 billion for the programme. Till now, the government had been offering the programme only in 43 backward districts. The government has been running the programme to reduce the dropout rate.
Likewise, this budget has introduced a new provision according to which all secondary level private schools have to take responsibility of at least one public school for improving academic conditions.
Similarly, Finance Minister Dr Yuba Raj Khatiwada announced a programme named “Strengthening the public education decade 2076-2085” under President Education Improvement Programme, for which Rs 6 billion has been allocated. Under the programme, construction of classrooms, science labs, information and technology lab construction and sports grounds and management of technical teachers and volunteer teachers and availability of educational materials are included.
Concerning the impact of COVID on education, the new academic session will start through virtual, online and television and radio classes. The government will encourage children to participate in creativity to tackle socio-psychological impact created due to the fear of COVID-19.
The government has allocated budget for the reconstruction of 1,800 school buildings and 2,520 classrooms and for the establishment 1000 science labs, 1000 computer labs and 1000 libraries in community schools across the country. It has also set a target to build 38 constituent campuses.
The government has allocated Rs 2.70 billion under the heading of scholarship. Children of poor citizens and martyrs will be prioritized under the programme from which about 2.6 million school children will be benefitted.
Likewise, Rs 1.82 billion has been allocated for sanitary pads distribution for 1.3 million girls across the country.
For the operation of Geta Medical College and infrastructure development of medical colleges at Bardibas, Butwal and Surkhet the government has allocated Rs 1.17 billion.
Similarly, the government has put aside Rs 2.23 billion for the mobilization of volunteer teachers in community schools which are facing teachers’ crisis. Similarly, for free colourful textbook distribution at foundation level the government has allocated Rs 2.76 billion.
Likewise, a total of Rs 17.43 billion has been allocated for universities grants that will be distributed through University Grants Commission.
Likewise, Rs 1.25 billion has been allocated for the establishment of Madan Bhandari Science and Technology University. Budget is also allocated to establish Bidhusi Yogmaya Aayurbed University. The government will bring schools like Madarasa, Gumba, Gurukul in mainstream education.
The Minister announced to declare literate Nepal by next year. The government planned to establish at least one technical stream secondary education school in each local government by next year. Till now such technical schools are established in 607 secondary schools.
This year, the education budget is 11.59 per cent of total budget. Last year, the government had allocated 10.68 per cent budget for education sector.