Bhubaneswar, Jan. 3: Educationists, academics and others taking part in a Pre-Budget Citizenry Consultation, facilitated by the Centre for Youth and Social Development, have come up with a list of ideas that may be considered by the state gover-nment while preparing the upcoming state budget.

In 2016-17, the total education budget (combining school and mass education and higher education departments) of Odisha government was Rs 15,477.92 crore, which is 16.46 per cent of the total state budget. However, education has continued to have low share in budget in Odisha compared to many other states in the country.

According to the State Finances: Study of Budgets, 2015-16, report by the Reserve Bank of India, expenditure for education as a percentage of total budget for Bihar, Chhattisgarh and Bengal were 18.6, 19.4 and 18.4 respectively. Educationists speaking at the event favoured an increase in investment for underpriv-ileged students.

At Kendriya Vidyalayas, per child/student expenditure per annum is around Rs 32,236, whereas in schools managed by the state government, per child expenditure is around Rs 14,000 per annum.

Children in Kendriya Vidyalayas are mostly from better educational and socio-economic background. On the contrary, children in schools run by the state government are from economically weaker families, said a participant.

"Thus, it may be inferred that investment is more for the privileged group and less for the underprivileged for the same purpose. Now, it is time to change the fiscal policy for the state government schools," said educationist Anil Pradhan.

Similarly, budget allocation was suggested to attain the norms under Right to Education Act, 2009.

"After six years of impleme-ntation of the RTE Act, 2009, only four per cent of schools in Odisha are fully complying with the Act, and the situation is worse in the districts of Koraput, Balangir and Kalahandi," he said.

Suggestions for upgrading classroom infrastructure also poured in from various experts.

In Odisha, except a handful of old upper-primary schools, study desks are not available in any schools. "Study desks are basic necessary items in classrooms, specifically for children above primary sections," said researcher Surendra Sahoo.

Similarly more budget allocation was suggested for teacher recruitment, teacher training, school monitoring and introduction of online monitoring mechanism for both teachers and students.

Programme Manager, Odisha Budget and Accountability Centre, Bhawani Mohapatra said the suggestions would be sent to the state government for appropriate action.