Bihar Education Minister Announces Major Teacher Recruitment Drive and Budget Details
Education Minister Sunil Kumar presented a comprehensive update on the state's education sector during the assembly session on Thursday. He revealed that the department has formally requested the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) to initiate the recruitment process for a substantial number of teaching positions.
Massive Teacher Recruitment Underway
The minister disclosed that the requisition includes 45,000 schoolteachers through the Teachers’ Recruitment Examination (TRE-4). Additionally, the state plans to hire over 7,000 specialized teachers dedicated to educating divyang (disabled) schoolchildren. This move aims to address staffing needs and enhance inclusive education across Bihar.
Kumar further elaborated on future expansion plans, reiterating Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's announcement under the Saat Nischay-3 initiative. The government intends to establish a model school and a degree college in every block over the next five years, which will necessitate the appointment of an additional 9,000 teachers.
Record Education Budget Allocation
The minister was responding to the House debate on the education department's budget for 2026–27, which stands at Rs 60,204.60 crore. He emphasized that this allocation accounts for 20% of the state's total annual budget, marking the highest proportion dedicated to education among all states in India. The budget was passed by voice vote, though the opposition staged a walkout, and a cut motion was moved by RJD member Rahul Kumar.
Improvements in Educational Infrastructure and Enrollment
Kumar highlighted significant progress in several key areas:
- Teacher Salaries: Schoolteachers are now receiving their salaries by the fifth day of every month, with no reported grievances or complaints on this front. The state currently employs 5.87 lakh schoolteachers.
- Student-Teacher Ratio: The quality of education has improved as the student-teacher ratio has been enhanced from 65:1 to 29:1.
- Out-of-School Children: The percentage of out-of-school children has dropped to less than 1%, reflecting successful enrollment initiatives.
The minister credited specific programs for boosting school enrollment, noting that the introduction of school uniforms and bicycles for students has been a major breakthrough. These initiatives have even been replicated in foreign countries such as Male and Zambia.
Higher Education and Technical Sector Updates
Regarding higher education, Kumar addressed concerns about delayed academic sessions in universities. Bihar has 15 government universities and eight private ones. Of the government-funded institutions, only two have sessions delayed by two months, and steps are being taken to regularize them. In the technical sector, including medical and engineering fields, 4.50 lakh students are currently enrolled in higher education programs.
Overall, the minister's presentation underscored the state's commitment to strengthening its education system through targeted recruitment, substantial funding, and ongoing reforms to improve access and quality for all students.
