Govt should increase fund allocation to education dept: VIT founder

Both the state and the union government should increase the fund allocation to the education department to increase students’ enrolment, especially in rural areas, said G Viswanathan, founder and chancellor of Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT).
He presided over the Support The Advancement of Rural Students (STARS) Day 2025 that was organized by the Universal Higher Education Trust (UHET) of VIT at its campus.
Addressing the gathering, Viswanathan said that lack of adequate spending in education have restricted students especially in rural areas to pursue higher studies as parents with substantial income could only enrol their children for higher education.
"In the 2025-26 Union budget, only around 2.5% of GDP has been allocated for education despite a long-standing demand of 6%. on education. India has around 28% of the total population, who have higher education as against over 60% in China," he said.
The Chancellor said that North Arcot district, which comprised present-day Vellore, Ranipet, Tirupattur and Tiruvannamalai districts, was economically and educationally backward for many years.
Public initiatives like scholarships and State government efforts will help to reduce the economic backwardness and increase the enrolment in schools and colleges. Currently, the Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER) of Tamil Nadu is over 50 per cent as against the national average of 28%, he said.
Under STARS scheme, 1,014 students in Tamil Nadu have benefitted with around Rs 90 crore disbursed since it began in 2008. The scheme provides free education and hostel facilities to one boy and one girl, who are toppers in XII Board examinations in respective districts, every year.
On the occasion, Viswanathan released VIT Stars magazine in the presence of actor Karthi, T.J. Gnanavel, film director, Sankar Viswanathan and Sekar Viswanathan, vice-presidents, VIT.