As India prepares for the Union Budget to be presented on 1 February 2026, expectations from the education sector are centred on long-term, future-ready reforms that strengthen access, quality, and sustainability. Ms. Usha Iyer, Founder and Director of The Green School Bangalore and The Bangalore School, has called for a budget that meaningfully addresses the evolving needs of schools while reinforcing education as a cornerstone of national development.
Sharing her pre-budget outlook, Ms. Iyer expressed optimism that education will receive focused attention. She emphasised that the sector requires enhanced budgetary allocation to strengthen foundational learning, teacher training, and infrastructure. In particular, she highlighted the role of affordable private schools, noting that they play a “critical role in last-mile education delivery” and therefore need targeted policy and financial support to continue serving diverse communities.
Early childhood education is another area Ms. Iyer believes deserves greater priority in the upcoming Budget. Increased funding at this stage, she noted, would have a lasting impact on learning outcomes and social equity. Alongside this, she advocated special incentives for green and sustainable school campuses, aligning education infrastructure with environmental responsibility and long-term cost efficiency.
Inclusive education also featured prominently in her expectations. Ms. Iyer stressed the importance of greater support for children with special needs, underscoring the need for policies and funding that ensure no learner is left behind. She further pointed out that rationalisation of GST on educational services and learning materials could significantly ease the financial burden on both schools and parents, making quality education more accessible.
Looking to the future, Ms. Iyer called for policy-backed investment in skill-based learning, digital infrastructure, and teacher upskilling, all aligned with the goals of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. She noted that empowering educators with the right tools and training is essential for preparing students for a rapidly changing world.
She also emphasised the value of encouraging public–private partnerships, offering tax incentives for education-driven CSR initiatives, and simplifying compliance frameworks. Such measures, she said, would allow schools to focus more on learning outcomes rather than administrative complexities.
Summing up her expectations, Ms. Iyer stated that a budget which prioritises equity, quality, and sustainability in education would not merely support schools but would serve as a long-term investment in India’s social and economic growth. Her views reflect a broader sentiment within the sector—that thoughtful, inclusive budgeting today can shape a stronger and more resilient India tomorrow.
