36 per cent hike proposed in education budget

The Sindh government has proposed Rs454 billion for the education sector, compared to last year's budget of Rs336 billion.

This represents a 36 per cent increase, according to the budget documents, and constitutes 25 per cent of the total current revenue expenditure.

Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif has recently declared an 'education emergency' across Pakistan to enroll around 26 million out-of-school children and promote literacy, aiming to develop the country into one of the most educated societies in the world.

The Sindh government has allocated Rs1.654 billion for the operationalization of non-formal education centers in various districts to reduce the rate of out-of-school children. Additionally, Rs800 million has been allocated for stipends for girls in grades 6, 9, and 10 to encourage female literacy. However, each girl receives only Rs3,500 per year. A top official in the education department suggested that instead of providing this small amount, the government should announce transport facilities for all girls.

Despite the visible increase in the budget, all previous schemes have been retained without the announcement of any new schemes. Sources indicated that during the interim setup and general elections last year, new schemes were not practically initiated.
The provision of funds for the Sindh Higher Education Commission (SHEC) is Rs34.5 billion, up from last year's Rs23 billion, reflecting an increase of around 50%. Funds of Rs6.9 billion are earmarked for technical education in the next year's budget.

The provincial government continues to provide free textbooks to all students from pre-primary to matric in all government schools and its partner schools, with Rs7,500 million allocated for the distribution of free textbooks.

Approximately Rs12 billion have been allocated for the purchase of new furniture and fixtures in three phases, with Rs4 billion earmarked in the 2024-25 budget. Additionally, Rs6.875 billion have been allocated under the Sindh Reform Support Unit's budget, which includes Rs2.375 billion for the restoration of flood-damaged schools.

For the upgradation of schools, the Sindh government has proposed upgrading 60 secondary schools to higher secondary schools, with 355 new posts proposed for these upgraded and existing higher secondary schools. The financial implication for this is Rs400.6 million in the budget.

Funds of Rs1.2 billion have been proposed for scholarships to students securing A-1 grades in SSC and HSC. Furthermore, Rs60 million are allocated for scholarships to needy and meritorious students studying in various institutions in the next financial year.

About Rs35 billion have been proposed for the Sindh Higher Education Commission (SHEC), with Rs23.4 billion allocated for 30 public sector universities under SHEC. Additionally, Rs4 billion have been allocated for newly established universities in Mirpurkhas, Larkano, and Karachi Metropolitan University.

Around Rs6.3 billion have been proposed for the education of persons with disabilities.