In a significant move aimed at promoting equitable access to education, the Bihar government has eliminated the mandatory 75% attendance requirement for students seeking benefits under the government’s uniform and cycle scheme in public schools. This decision, announced by Education Minister Sunil Kumar during a session in the Legislative Council, received approval from Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and the state cabinet. Under the previous regulations, only students who met the attendance criteria were eligible for financial assistance. With this recent change, an estimated 1.8 crore students enrolled in government schools will now qualify for benefits without being restricted by attendance numbers.
The state government is concurrently striving to improve educational infrastructure, with plans set for the financial year 2025-26 to provide computers to 29,000 government schools. Furthermore, land has been designated for the construction of new Kendriya Vidyalayas in 12 locations across the state, aimed at enhancing access to quality education.
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar underscored the state’s commitment to education, highlighting a remarkable increase in the education budget—from Rs 4,400 crore in 2005 to over Rs 60,000 crore at present. For higher education alone, an allocation of Rs 5,885 crore has been earmarked, facilitating the recruitment of more than 2,000 assistant professors in colleges and universities.
The Bihar government is also taking significant steps towards making education more inclusive. The appointment of special educators is planned to aid students with disabilities, thus creating more supportive learning environments. Additionally, the representation of women in the teaching workforce has experienced a notable increase, with women now constituting 44% of the approximately six lakh teachers in the state. This progression is viewed as a crucial advancement for women’s empowerment in the region.
Bihar has observed a substantial rising trend in literacy rates. CM Nitish Kumar reported that the overall literacy rate has climbed from 40% in 2000 to 80% currently, with female literacy witnessing an impressive increase from 34% to 74%. The Mid-Day Meal scheme is also making a significant impact, benefitting 1.08 crore students by providing nutritious meals during school hours.
In a bid to simplify the process of financial assistance under the uniform and cycle schemes, the Bihar government will implement direct fund transfers to students’ bank accounts by April 1. The revised financial assistance amounts include Rs 600 for students in classes 1 and 2, Rs 700 for classes 3 to 5, Rs 1,000 for classes 6 to 8, and Rs 1,500 for classes 9 to 12 under the uniform scheme. Additionally, students in class 9 will receive Rs 3,000 as part of the cycle scheme. This streamlined approach is expected to facilitate quicker access to necessary resources for students and their families.
