From Chalkboards to Digital Tools: Rural India’s Hopes for Educational Reform

In the heart of rural India, where dusty roads lead to modest homes and school buildings are often bare, dreams thrive against all odds. For children in these villages, the upcoming Union Budget 2025-26 is more than an economic exercise—it’s a potential gateway to a brighter future.

Take 14-year-old Meera from a small village, who dreams of becoming a doctor. Her school struggles with inadequate facilities: no science lab, outdated books, and a lack of teachers for advanced subjects. “If our school had better infrastructure, we could learn more,” she says, her eyes lighting up with hope. Like Meera, countless rural students yearn for modernized classrooms, access to digital tools, and a curriculum that equips them for competitive exams.

Across the country, parents in similar circumstances echo these aspirations. With limited family incomes, many hope for more government scholarships and financial aid to help their children continue their education. Initiatives like the National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme have been a lifeline, but families are calling for broader coverage and increased funding to reach more deserving students.

Infrastructure is a recurring theme in rural students’ wishlist. For 16-year-old Ravi, who cycles 10 kilometers daily to reach his school, better roads and affordable transport are as crucial as new textbooks. “Some students drop out because it’s too hard to travel. We need more schools closer to our homes,” he says.

Girls, in particular, face unique challenges. For Priya, a high school student, safety during her commute and access to functional toilets are priorities. “Many girls stop going to school because there aren’t enough facilities,” she explains, highlighting the need for gender-sensitive infrastructure.

The upcoming budget holds the potential to address these issues. Investments in digital education, skill development programs, and rural school infrastructure could transform the lives of millions of students. Programs aimed at bridging the urban-rural education divide, such as expanding PM eVidya and providing free internet access, could ensure equitable opportunities.

For these students, the Union Budget is more than numbers and allocations; it represents a chance to learn, grow, and dream bigger. As Meera puts it, “We just need the right tools, and we can achieve anything.”