Bhubaneswar, Dec 30 (Odisha.in) To make education for all the children a reality the state government should allocate more funds for education state budget, participating in workshop speakers said Sunday.
The government should increase the present allocation of funds to at least 25 per cent in the state budget, the educationists, trade unionists, teacher’s Federation leaders, NGO representatives said.
PECUC and Action Aid organized the workshop “Analysis of Orissa State Education Budget: Priorities and challenges”.
While sharing the study findings Ranjan Mohanty, Secretary of PECUC said that the percentage of educational expenditure in regards to school and mass education department out of the total state budget has been gradually declining from year to year.
While comparing the percentage of expenditure in the said period between 1998-99 and 2007-08 out of the total state expenditure, the diminution is to the tune of 3.80 per cent.
The workshop discussed and analysed the state budget for education for the last ten years. There has been a decreasing trend in the budgetary allocation matched to the social commitment for the education of the children.
In this regard, many participants said that there has to be much awareness on the budget.
The forum decided to carry forward the process of consultation with various sectors to work out a peoples plan and budget to share with the government. This would clearly articulate the need of the people.
This will also help the people to make the state more responsible and accountable. This would help realize the dream of sending all children to school.
The workshop was Chaired by Dr. P.C.Mohapatra, Educationist. Other eminent persons who participated include Arun Sahu, MLA, Dr Dillip Srichandan ,Ex MLA, Dr.Ambika Nanda,Action Aid, Dr.Sibaram Patnaik, Kasturi Mohapatra, Mahendra Parida, Child Rights Activist; Dr.Mahendra Mishra,OPEPA, Namrata Chaddha, Sauri Bandhu Kar, Rama Krishna Panda.
Anuradha Mohanty, Coordinator of PECUC gave the welcome address.
Odisha.in
