As anticipation builds for the Union Budget 2025, education leaders across India are calling for a renewed focus on transforming the education sector. Shweta Sastri, Managing Director of Canadian International School, Bengaluru, emphasised the need for robust investments in education to drive innovation, improve accessibility, and enhance the quality of learning experiences nationwide.
“As the Union Budget approaches, we are hopeful that the government will prioritise education spending and implement policies that foster innovation, accessibility, and quality in schools,” Sastri stated. Highlighting the importance of bridging the urban-rural education divide, she added, “The budget should prioritise substantial investments in upgrading digital literacy among educators and fostering innovative teaching practices, ultimately enhancing educational outcomes nationwide.”
The potential allocation of increased funds is expected to catalyse significant improvements in government schools, which educate the majority of Indian children. Sastri underscored the transformative power of digitalisation in education, remarking, “The increased allocation of funds will also ensure better quality government schools. Digitalisation should be at the forefront, ensuring greater access to meaningful educational resources tailored to the student’s needs.”
Education stakeholders are also advocating for an emphasis on structured skilling programmes, vocational training, and application-based learning. These measures aim to align students and educators with the demands of a rapidly evolving job market. “We look forward to support for structured skilling programmes, vocational training, application-based learning opportunities, and digital upskilling to align the workforce with emerging market demands,” Sastri said.

Shweta Sastri, Managing Director, Canadian International School, Bengaluru.
Another critical area of focus is the financial burden faced by families pursuing education. Sastri highlighted the importance of reducing education loan interest rates to alleviate this strain. “The reduction of interest rates on education loans will help alleviate financial strain, enabling better access to education,” she explained.
Teacher training and professional development also featured prominently in Sastri’s recommendations. “We need to prioritise teacher training and development programmes as well as strengthen digital infrastructure to facilitate seamless learning experiences,” she stated. She further suggested fostering partnerships with foreign educational institutions and promoting cultural exchange programmes to nurture global citizenship among students.
To position India as a global study destination, Sastri called for efforts to attract international students. “There is also a need to upscale the education system to attract more foreign students to our country to promote India as a global study destination,” she said. “Looking ahead, we must strive to ensure that the learning experience remains meaningful and enriching.”
Overall, Sastri’s remarks highlighted the critical need for increased investment in education to achieve equitable and inclusive learning opportunities for all. As the government prepares to unveil its budget, the education sector’s hopes are pinned on measures that will lay the foundation for a brighter and more innovative future for India’s youth.