Patna: The Bihar Education Department has introduced a rigorous monitoring system in government schools, using photography to track daily attendance and educational activities, particularly in remote areas, under the guidance of Additional Chief Secretary Dr S Siddharth.
Under the new guidelines, schools are being observed to ensure that morning assemblies, prayers, and lessons are conducted according to the state’s standards. Photographs of activities are collected from selected schools at random, with the latitude, longitude, and time of each photo recorded, allowing officials to verify compliance.
Between August 20 and 22, three schools were randomly selected from each of the 38 districts, with photos reviewed to check whether academic and extracurricular routines were being followed. The review found that activities were largely conducted according to departmental guidelines. Schools failing to meet the schedule must submit written explanations, and disciplinary action may follow in cases of negligence.
Students are expected to arrive at 9:30 am, and teachers must be present and actively engaged throughout the “consciousness session,” which includes prayer, the Bihar state song, the national anthem, general knowledge, logic and word exercises, and motivational stories. During this time, student appearance, including nails, hair, and uniforms, is also checked.
The first three periods of the school day prioritise mathematics, science, and reading in Hindi or English, aiming to strengthen numerical, scientific, and literacy skills among students.
The department has also instructed schools to install loudspeakers, play the national anthem 15 minutes before classes, and close main gates before sessions begin. Students arriving late are barred from entering the school the following day, a measure intended to reinforce punctuality and discipline.
