The Shrinking Pie
The core of the issue is a financial crunch that pits essential needs against each other. While India’s Ministry of Education budget has seen nominal increases, these often don't keep pace with inflation or the growing needs of the sector. For years,
policy recommendations have suggested India spend 6% of its GDP on education, but actual spending has hovered closer to 3.1%. This long-term underinvestment creates a high-stakes environment where every rupee is contested. The Ministry of Culture, responsible for libraries and promoting arts, consistently receives less than 1% of the total annual budget, putting it at a disadvantage when competing against departments seen as more practical. This trickles down, forcing local institutions to decide what to sacrifice.
The Case for the Classroom
When budgets tighten, the first instinct is to protect core academics. The argument is straightforward: subjects like math, science, and languages are fundamental, and resources like textbooks are non-negotiable. In government schools, spending on books and stationery constitutes a major part of the household expenditure on education. There's a persistent debate that favours funding for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) fields, seen as more directly tied to economic growth and employment. This perspective often frames arts and humanities as less essential, a luxury to be afforded only after foundational needs are met. The result is a clear prioritisation of tangible classroom resources over what some consider 'extracurriculars'.
When the Stage Goes Dark
The casualties in this budget war are often the performing arts. School plays, music programmes, and dance troupes are frequently the first to face cuts. While the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 strongly emphasizes integrating arts into the curriculum for holistic development, the on-ground reality of funding often tells a different story. When a school cancels its annual play or an arts organization loses its grant, it's not just a performance that is lost. Students miss out on developing crucial skills like confidence, collaboration, and creative expression. Recent reports indicate that even established grants for artists and performers are facing unprecedented rejection rates due to budget slashes, threatening the livelihood of gurus and the continuity of traditional art forms. This puts the cultural fabric of communities at risk, silencing voices that contribute to societal well-being and identity.
An Uncertain Future for Libraries
Public libraries exist in a precarious middle ground. While they house books, they are often seen as community resources rather than direct educational tools, making their funding vulnerable. The state of public libraries in India is often described as disappointing, with many suffering from neglect, poor infrastructure, and a severe lack of funds. Many citizens are unaware these facilities even exist. Funding is primarily a state responsibility, and it varies drastically. Some states have a 'library cess' to provide a dedicated income stream, but most do not. The per-capita expenditure on libraries in some states is alarmingly low, leading to situations where librarians go unpaid and collections are not updated. Without adequate funding, libraries cannot fulfill their role as centres of knowledge and community hubs, leaving a void in the intellectual life of the public.
