PATNA: Chief minister (CM) Nitish Kumar directed officials on Thursday to expedite the completion of infrastructural development of educational institutions and the recruitment of teachers for vacant positions throughout the state to ensure that students enrolled in schools can pursue their studies properly.
Reviewing the education department’s progress via videoconferencing, the CM noted that a large number of primary and middle schools had been opened in the state since 2006 and their buildings constructed. This created employment opportunities for the unemployed and also promoted local businesses, he explained.
The CM added that by establishing educational institutions at the panchayat level, more opportunities for girls had been created. “It is only natural that the number of girls appearing in the state’s Matriculation examination has surpassed that of boys. Their enrolment in schools has also resulted in a decline in the fertility rate. In 2006, Bihar’s fertility rate was 4.3%, but has since decreased to 3%,” he said.
Nitish stated that the ongoing construction of school buildings and recruitment of teachers should be completed as soon as possible to ensure that students have no difficulty carrying out their studies. Where there is a severe shortage of qualified teachers, he said, recruitment should be prioritised.
Earlier, education department’s additional chief secretary Sanjay Kumar presented the overall progress in infrastructure development and teacher recruitment. He noted that the department took the initiative to cover every panchayat with a high school on the CM’s direction.
“As many as 6,421 high schools have been established in panchayats that previously lacked one. Now, the state’s total number of high schools has surpassed 9,360. Additionally, e-content has been developed and teaching via smart classes has begun,” Sanjay said, adding that the state had already achieved the desired teacher-student ratio of 1:40 through the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan.
Education minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary expressed gratitude to the CM for initiating the establishment of at least one +2 school in each panchayat. Over 9,200 of these schools have already been established, including 6,500 upgraded high schools.
Referring to the department’s road map, Choudhary stated that all development schemes would be completed within the next two years. “Each panchayat will receive a +2 school equipped with all necessary infrastructure (classrooms and other facilities) and qualified teachers. This will be a game changer, as girls and boys from rural and remote areas will no longer be denied access to education,” he claimed.
The review meeting was attended by Deepak Kumar, Amir Shubhani, Anupam Kumar, and other officials from the education department.
