A major overhaul is coming to the education sector in Bihar, as the state government has announced plans to recruit one lakh teachers over the next five years. This significant decision was revealed by Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary following a high-level review meeting with top education department officials, including the education minister and the additional chief secretary.
Annual Recruitment Cycle Every July
Under the newly outlined framework, at least twenty thousand teaching positions will be filled each year. To maintain a predictable timeline for aspirants, the administration has decided to release official recruitment notifications every year in the month of July.
New Transfer Rules and Uniform Supply
To make the transfer process more transparent and accessible, the department has been directed to formulate a comprehensive policy. Under this upcoming framework, female teachers will ideally be posted in panchayats adjacent to their home panchayat within their home block, while male teachers will be transferred to blocks neighboring their home block within their home district. Additionally, school uniforms for all students across the state will now be supplied through Jeevika, a step aimed at supporting women empowerment alongside distribution.
Protests Over Delayed Examination Notifications
While long-term planning is underway, immediate tensions have flared over delays in issuing the notification for the fourth phase of the teacher recruitment examination. Expressing their frustration, numerous candidates took to the streets on Wednesday to stage demonstrations.
The participants planned to march from Ashok Rajpath toward Dakbungalow Chowk, but police intercepted them along the route. Several protesters were detained near Patna College and Bihta. Patna Senior Superintendent of Police Kartikeya Sharma stated that protests are only permitted at Gardanibag, and security forces have been deployed in sensitive areas to maintain law and order.
Crackdown on Previous Demonstrations
The latest protests follow a similar mobilization from the previous week, which resulted in police filing cases against approximately 5,000 unidentified candidates and arresting four individuals. Authorities had accused those participants of disrupting traffic, breaking barricades, and misbehaving with law enforcement personnel. Notably, the upcoming fourth phase recruitment drive is expected to open up teaching opportunities for over 1.20 lakh candidates.
