NEW DELHI: Sandeep Rai, Founder of The Circle India, emphasizes the urgent need for transformative investments in education as the Union Budget 2025 approaches. He highlights that policymakers and practitioners are advocating for critical areas such as infrastructure, digital investments, higher education, research, and teacher development. Rai asserts that while these elements are essential, the budget must prioritize three significant initiatives.
First, he argues for a **reinvestment in school innovations**, stating that the current educational model is outdated and India risks falling behind globally. He advocates for bridging the gap between technology and education, as well as aligning academic programs with workforce needs to create exemplary schools that embody this new vision.
Second, Rai stresses the importance of **investing in talent development**, noting that leapfrogging in education is unattainable without well-prepared teachers and school leaders. He calls for budget allocations that not only enhance teacher capacity but also redefine the role of educators to meet modern educational demands.
Lastly, he acknowledges the progress made in foundational literacy and numeracy over recent years but insists that the upcoming budget should build on these achievements. Rai believes that with the right investments, the Union Budget 2025 can catalyze significant advancements in education, leveraging expertise from both private and non-profit sectors to foster innovative proof points and collaborative funding solutions. Rai concludes with a hopeful call to action: "Can our Union Budget 2025 take the first step and model something bold?"
