Policymakers unhappy over budget allocation in edn sector

Policymakers at a dialogue expressed their dissatisfaction Tuesday over the less-than expected level of allocation in education sector for the upcoming fiscal year, saying the proposed budget lacks in specific guidelines for implementing the National Education Policy 2010.
They said allocation for the education sector remains almost same, though the volume of the proposed national budget for the fiscal year (FY) 2014-2015 has been increased considerably.
"It is true that implementation of the much-desired education policy 2010 is not possible overnight, but the authorities must show visible actions towards the process", Chairman of the Institute of Microfinance (InM) Dr Kazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmad said.
Prof Kholiquzzaman who is also co-chair of the national education policy, chaired the discussion.
Institute of Microfinance (InM) and Bangladesh Unnayan Parishad (BUP) jointly organised the national level dialogue styled 'Education Budget 2014' at the auditorium of the Palli Karma Sahayak Foundation (PKSF) in the capital.
InM Executive Director Prof Dr MA Baqui Khalily, Member Secretary of the Education Policy Prof Shaikh Ekramul Kabir, BUP Chairman MA Jalil and BUP Executive Director Dr Nilufar Banu, among others, spoke at the programme, while Education Policy Formulation Committee Member Prof Qazi Faruque Ahmed presented the keynote paper.
Dr Ahmad said they strongly recommended to the government to gradually increase the allocation for the education sector up to 20 per cent of the total budget by 2018.
"Unfortunately, the allocation remains almost constant over the years, despite the increase in volume of the national budget", he noted.
The education policymaker said ensuring good governance in the education sector is another big challenge for the government. "Decentralisation of the administrative functions could considerably help reduce corruption in the sensitive sector", he noted.
Prof Kabir said although Finance Minister AMA Muhith in his budget speech at National Parliament gave importance to the education policy, it didn't reflect in the allocation.
Policy analyst Mr Khalily said non-governmental organisations (NGOs) are taking the advantage of the government's failure to manage the education system effectively. He also strongly urged the authorities concerned to ensure more investment in the tertiary level that prepares skilled workforce for the nation.
The keynote presenter Mr Ahmed said the government should revise the proposed budget allowing necessary fund and facilities like incorporation of the local government in the policy implementation process.
This year, allocation for the education sector in the proposed budget has been kept at Tk 292.13 billion (development and non-development budget combined) which was Tk 250.93 billion in FY 2013-2014.
Of the proposed allocation, Tk 155.40 billion will go to the Ministry of Education that was Tk 131.63 billion in the last FY, while the Primary and Mass Education Ministry receives Tk 136.73 billion that was Tk 119.30 billion in FY 2013-14.