Kerala Government Announces Free Graduation in Arts and Science Colleges

In order to open up avenues for students to get higher education, the Kerala government has resolved that all the undergraduate courses in arts and science colleges of the state shall be free of cost. Finance Minister K.N. Balagopal, who made this revelation during the budget presentation, termed it as a bold move in the state's free education policy.

The government has explained this measure as a logical extension to its free education policy up to Class 12, thus defining higher education as a right and not a special privilege. Besides putting less financial pressure on the students of middle, and lower, income families, it will also boost the popularity of public colleges.

In order to supply the higher education ecosystem with sufficient resources, the budget has set aside 259.09 crore for the smooth operation of universities under the Higher Education Department. Moreover, 851.46 crore has been allocated to the implementation of the Higher Education Council's recommendation and the introduction of four year undergraduate degree courses as per the national academic reforms.

The education centred budget also gives utmost importance to student welfare. Scholarships for Higher Secondary students belonging to Below Poverty Line (BPL) families have been declared, and a fund of 7.9 crore has been set aside to facilitate uninterrupted schooling of economically deprived students.

150.34 crore has been earmarked for the free uniform scheme of the state, out of which 70 crore has been allocated to Handlooms Directorate for provision of two sets of uniforms to students of government and aided Lower Primary (LP) and Upper Primary (UP) schools. Besides, this move will help the handloom sector of Kerala's tradition.

Moreover, the budget offers 55 crore to Samagra Shiksha Kerala and around 23 crore more to the various education projects coming under the scheme. The State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) has been given 21.25 crore for educational purposes among which are the creation of textbooks for sports schools and the production of digital textbooks.

The strict focus of the budget on free education and institutional assistance thereby strengthens Kerala's standing as one of the most education, forward states in India.