Bihar's education department has been told to move fast on two fronts, filling every vacant teaching post at Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar residential schools within a month, and giving land to high schools that currently have none within six months. Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary announced both timelines during a discussion in the state assembly's monsoon session.
A one month deadline for teacher recruitment
The shortage of teachers at Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar residential schools came up for discussion in the house, and Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary acknowledged that the state government is treating the problem seriously. He said the education department has been asked to closely monitor the recruitment drive, telling the assembly, "the process of appointing teachers will be completed within a month." The commitment is expected to bring relief to students whose classes have been hit by the staff shortage.
Why the government is rushing to fill posts
According to the Chief Minister, giving residential school students access to quality education is a government priority, and a shortage of staff should not come in the way of their studies. That is the reasoning behind pushing the vacant post recruitment through on a fast track, so that classrooms can function without interruption.
Land for high schools that have none
Beyond teacher hiring, Chaudhary also addressed the state's high school infrastructure. He said schools that still do not have land of their own will be allotted land within the next six months. Once that land is handed over, construction of school buildings will begin, giving students access to better classrooms, laboratories and other basic facilities.
Lawmakers had already raised the building shortage
The announcement comes after members from both the treasury and opposition benches pressed the issue of inadequate school buildings during the monsoon session. BJP MLA Jivesh Mishra and RJD MLA Alok Mehta were among those who questioned Mithilesh Tiwari over the state of school buildings and basic facilities, and it was in response to that pressure that the Chief Minister's announcement followed.
