Budget allocation reflects govt goals

THE Government has shifted in the Education policy by redistributing lower education funds to higher education and skills development.
Budgets are necessary to ensure allocation of resources or funds to various provision of collective public goods and services so as to harmonise differences in private and social benefits and costs and to ensure decisions are made as to provision of specific public goods.
In this instance, the Marape/Steven Government has revised the Tuition Free Fee policy to have parents take on some responsibility at the lower education sector and also redirected student support to the higher education sector.
This policy has been effected through the 2020 National Budget and where the goals are, this can only be seen when it is implemented.
The allocation of funds in a budget is dependent on government policies requiring actions to attain some articulated goals and the means to achieve them.
Budgets relates to decisions of governments based on issues or problems it finds and allocates funds to achieve certain outcomes either through consultation or through set of interactions within its own agencies or with other actors
In this instance, the TFF policy has been reviewed and another scheme called the Higher Education Loan Programme (HELP) has been introduced as well as increasing the budgetary support to agriculture and SME to help the parents to fund the lower education sector.
The government allows for process of planning for the budget including identifying the targeted area, resource acquisition and its allocation and how it controls and administers the funds.
This is followed up by the reporting and evaluation of whether the intended objectives have been achieved.
Alternatively, policy can be described as declaration of intent, a programme of goals and general rules to guide future behaviour of importance to government decision, a selected cause of action.
Policies include series of decisions that contribute to outcomes.
For example, the free education policy that requires series of decisions and actions by actors such as Education Department, Treasury, Finance and Provincial Governments to ensure schools are open, and there are teachers and materials are delivered.
To ensure this policy objectives are achieved, the government will plan for and allocate resources through the budget.
In 2019, upon change of Government, the various announcements by the prime minister relating to business opportunities, education, higher education and others are now captured in the 2020 budget whilst others could be included in the future or may not even be considered.
National Budgets is the heartbeat and lifeline of the country because budgets allocates the financial resources and ensures the distribution of it or who it would impact and also determines the overall society in terms of controlling price, promoting economic growth and also improving livelihoods of the people.
Basic education has increased enrolment in gender, retention and literacy but also the policy did not address teachers, materials and quality.
We can continue educating the people but if it is poorly delivered, it could be a disaster.
Quality education is needed so is creating opportunities for those who have been educated at the lower education sector to engage in economic activities.

W Thompson