Parliament Panel Proposes Increase in Higher Education Funding, Highlights Unmet 6% GDP Target of NEP

The Committee reported a lower percentage increase in the Department of Higher Educations budget estimates (BE) for the 2025-26 fiscal year compared to the budget estimates for the 2024-25 fiscal year. This trend marks a deviation from the previous years budgetary growth rate, indicating a more restrained fiscal approach.

In examining the broader context, the budget for higher education plays a critical role in funding initiatives such as scholarships, infrastructure development, and faculty recruitment. The decrease in the growth rate could be reflective of a tightened budgetary environment, where prioritization may shift towards other sectors or a need to address fiscal deficits. Stakeholders in the education sector are likely to anticipate how this change might impact the quality and accessibility of higher education in the coming years.