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Union Budget: Sona Group of Education Institutions chief welcomes govt's initiative to further strengthen digital education initiatives

by Trans World Features | @twfindia 01 Feb 2022, 05:35 am

New Delhi: FM Nirmala Seetharaman's announcement on further strengthening the digital education initiatives of the government is 'very much welcome', said Chocko Valliappa, Vice Chairman, Sona Group of Education Institutions, Salem.

He said Digital University will provide a new avenue for keeping abreast of technology.

"Opening up of defence research to private sector and academia to an extent of 25% will open new pathways for research," he said.

"The students from the financially challenged families will not be able to benefit from the renewed thrust on digital education until they have access to smartphones and computer devices. The government needs to enhance/provide access to devices to students from BPL (below poverty line) families," he said.

These students need to be provided access to highspeed network through nationwide network of Common Service Centres. Perhaps the enhanced Anganwadis can become wi-fi hot spots.

Not embedding skill education as a part of curriculum in line with the NEP is a miss in this budget.

"While fees charged by education institutions are subject to GST. No input credit is available to these institutions. We hope that anomaly will be remedied in the coming weeks," he said.

"Announcement of a Digital health ecosystem is a big step forward as it will enable digital registry of providers, unique health identity. The new mental initiative is timely as we are coming out of a pandemic," he said.

Union FM Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Budget on Tuesday.