Significant input for HR development:

Govt increases expenditure on education

By L.S Anamda WEDAARACHCHI

The Government increased the expenditure on education to Rs. 108.37 billion last year, an increase of 92 percent compared to 2005. The Secretary, Ministry of Education Sunil Sirisena commenting on the allocation of the Ministry of Finance and Planning said that the investment on education is a significant input for human resource development of the country in future.

He said that the Ministry needs an increased budgetary provision of Rs. 98 billion, which is 13 percent more compared to last year’s allocation of Rs. 91 billion.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Finance and Planning in a statement on the allocation said that Anura Kumara Dissanayake MP speaking during the adjournment debate in Parliament on May 19 said that the capital expenditure granted to the education sector had been slashed by 42 percent during the past three years causing a collapse in the entire education system. As this is misleading, the Ministry of Finance and Planning wishes to issue the following clarification.

“The aforementioned statement appears to have been made by merely looking at the capital expenditure figures of the education institutions coming under the purview of the Ministry of Education. However, the figures do not reflect the total picture pertaining to the education sector, since around 96 percent of schools in this country are currently managed by Provincial Councils.

“The Ministry of Education is directly responsible for managing only 330 national schools, while the expenditure pertaining to schools coming under Provincial Councils is provided separately through the Finance Commission.

“The total Government expenditure on education covering basic, secondary and tertiary education has increased significantly during the past 10 years.

“The total expenditure on education was Rs. 56 billion in 2005. This increased to Rs. 108.37 billion in 2009, an increase of 92 percent. Importantly, such increased resources for education were made available by the Government, despite having to allocate a large share of public expenditure to maintain the country’s security and while maintaining public investment at 6 - 6.5 percent of the GDP, specially during the past four years.

“Total Government expenditure on all forms of education including, general education and higher education, other than vocational training has increased significantly during the past five years.

“Government grants provided to develop provincial schools have been increased by 72 percent during this period.

Another notable feature is that the expenditure borne by the Government on a student, has been doubled, from Rs. 11,354 in 2005 to Rs. 22,077 in 2009. The recurrent expenditure including salaries for teachers and expenditure on electricity, water and maintenance of equipment in the education sector has increased by 103 percent, between 2005 and 2009, mainly attributable to rectifying salary anomalies of teachers and on account of expenditure to recruit new teachers.

“The expenditure on text books, school uniforms, school related nutrition programs, bursaries and scholarships has increased by 120 percent compared to 2005. Around four million students benefited through such measures in 2009.

“However, there is a need to channel more resources to develop provincial schools.

“As such provisions to meet capital expenditure pertaining to provincial schools will be increased gradually in the coming years, on the basis of a need assessment.

“The Government wishes to place on record its full commitment to provide funds required for the education sector in a well planned manner, in keeping with the Mahinda Chinthana vision for the future.”