Edu budget: Self-defence training for girls, 25 skill centres and 13 language academies

The AAP government today announced that it would impart self-defence training to girls, install CCTV cameras at all government schools, and set up 13 language academies and 25 world class skill development centres in the national capital.

Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia presented the budget for 2018-19 in the legislative assembly.

The AAP government continued its trend of allocating the biggest share of the budget to the education sector, earmarking Rs 13,9997 crore, which is 26 per cent of the total budget, for it.

In the budget for 2017-2018, 23.5 per cent of the total budget amount was given to the education sector.

About 1.2 lakh CCTV cameras will be installed at all government schools, for which an outlay of Rs 175 crore has been proposed in the budget estimates 2018-19. Self-defence classes for girl students will be started, Sisodia said in his budget speech.

The government also proposed a new scheme for evaluation of all schools in Delhi to promote healthy competition among them and to help parents have access to authentic information regarding the quality of education, environment and facilities available at schools.

Sisodia, also the finance minister of Delhi, announced setting up of 13 new language academies, an English academy and 25 world class skill development centres.

Other major announcements made in the budget speech were -- nursery classes in 366 Sarvodaya Vidyalayas, and construction of 12,748 additional classrooms and 30 new school buildings.

Two new schemes -- "Play & Progress" and "Mission Excellence " -- have also been proposed to promote sports.

"Annual series of state level dance and singing talent hunt and cultural activities in all assembly constituencies, research fellowship in archaeology and archive etc. will be taken up," Sisodia said.