FM Nirmala Sitharaman in the Union Budget 2022 proposed the expansion of PM eVIDYA’s ‘One class, one TV channel’ program from 2 to 200 TV channels.

The program was launched by the Union education ministry to provide radio and DTH channels to those who don’t have access to the internet. 

“This will enable all states to provide supplementary education in regional languages for classes 1 to 12,” FM Nirmala Sitharaman said. 

The Centre is also taking steps to develop high-quality e-content that can be delivered through various modes. Teachers will also be equipped to use such digital tools, the FM added.

She also proposed a national mental health programme. This will include a network of 23 tele-medical mental health centres of excellence.

Sitharaman proposed to set up a digital university to provide education that will be built on a hub and spoke model.

Recognising the importance of ‘Nari Shakti’, she said three schemes were launched to provide integrated development for women and children.

“Our gov has comprehensively revamped schemes of the Ministry of Women and Child Development such as Mission Shakti, Mission Vatsalya, Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0 to provide benefits,” she said. 

“States will be encouraged to revise syllabi of agricultural universities to meet needs of natural, zero-budget & organic farming, modern-day agriculture,” she added. 

A record Rs 104,277.72 crore was set aside for the education sector. This is Rs 11,053.41 crore more than the budget estimate for 2021-22.

In the 2021-22 budget estimate, while ₹38,350.65 crore was allocated for higher education, school education had received ₹54,873.66 crore.