Bihar: Education Department Introduces Monthly Honors for Teachers and Students, Releases New Guidelines

Patna, 8th August 2024: The Education Department has announced a new initiative to recognize and honor excellence within schools. Starting this month, one teacher, one talented student, and one excellent student from each block will be selected and honored every month. The honor will be conferred by the Additional Chief Secretary and Principal Secretary of the Education Department. Detailed information regarding the selection process will be provided soon.

On Thursday, Dr. S. Siddharth, the Additional Chief Secretary of the Education Department, issued a comprehensive guideline outlining the responsibilities of teachers in schools. These guidelines cover five key areas: student conduct, school management, class management, student management, and parent management.

One of the critical points emphasized in the guideline is the absolute prohibition of corporal punishment. The guidelines stress that corporal punishment should not be used under any circumstances, as it has a detrimental effect on a child’s behavior.

Key Points from the New Guidelines:

Uniforms and Textbooks: Teachers must ensure that students arrive at school in the prescribed uniform and carry textbooks for all subjects.

School Management: Teachers are required to arrive at school 10 minutes before the start of classes and mark their attendance using the e-Shiksha Kosh app. They must also discuss the day’s teaching plan with the school principal and participate in a daily awareness session focused on moral values.

Class Management: Teachers are to have the class monitor record the number of absent students daily. In situations where there is a shortage of subject-specific teachers, multi-level classes may be conducted. Teachers are also instructed to regularly check students’ diaries and identify students who may not interact freely or confidently with their classmates and teachers.

Teacher Training: All teachers are required to complete six days of residential training at teacher education institutes. Strict action will be taken against schools found to have untrained teachers. Additionally, mid-day meals must be provided according to the specified menu.