The Centre for Civil Society (CCS) will organise the 13th School Choice National Conference (SCNC) 2026 on October 31 in New Delhi, bringing together policymakers, researchers and education practitioners to discuss education financing and its impact on learning outcomes.
The conference, themed The Economics of Education, will examine how public funds are allocated and utilised, alternative financing mechanisms and the relationship between education costs and learning outcomes.
According to the conference organisers, India has approximately 14.6 lakh schools serving 24.7 crore students. Public spending on education is around 4% of gross domestic product (GDP), while the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 envisages increasing public investment in education to 6% of GDP.
The conference will focus on three key areas: public financing and fiscal federalism, alternative financing mechanisms, and the economics of curriculum, pedagogy and assessment.
Discussions on public financing will examine how education budgets are allocated between the Centre and states. CCS will present research covering Assam, Bihar, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh to explore differences in state-level education financing and expenditure.
The conference will also discuss alternative funding models, including direct benefit transfers, cash transfers and education vouchers, and their potential role in improving access to schooling and directing resources towards students.
Another focus will be the relationship between curriculum design, teaching methods, assessment systems and education expenditure, including spending on teacher salaries, pensions and infrastructure.
The event will feature keynote sessions, research presentations, panel discussions and an exhibition of education-related solutions.
The conference is scheduled to take place from 9 am to 5 pm at FICCI, Federation House, New Delhi. General delegate registration is priced at ₹3,000, with limited student discounts available. The registration deadline is October 28, 2026.
For details and registration, visit the official SCNC 2026 website.
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