A case for an increase in education budget

Education encompasses a meagre 10.75 percent of the national budget, down from 17.1 percent in 2011-12.

Two days before its presentation in Parliament, the government is giving final touches to the federal budget. The Balendra Shah administration, which has taken departures from several past practices, is expected to continue that approach in budget preparation. Education remains a key sector awaiting a big departure in budget allocation. Nepal in different global platforms has committed to allocating 20 percent of the national budget (or 5 percent of GDP) in education, but successive governments have failed to live up to the commitment. Over the years, the share of the education budget has been hovering around 10-11 percent of the national budget and less than 3 percent of the GDP, even as it’s the highest allocation among the ministries.