Patna: The Bihar government has tightened rules under the Chief Minister’s student uniform scheme, making a minimum 75 percent attendance mandatory for receiving financial assistance, officials from the education department said.
Under the scheme, students from Classes 1 to 8 studying in government schools receive annual financial support to purchase uniforms. The initiative aims to encourage regular school attendance and ensure continuity in education.
As per the revised guidelines, the assistance will now be disbursed only if a student maintains at least 75 percent attendance during the academic year. Officials said the move is intended to improve attendance levels and reduce dropout rates across schools.
The financial assistance varies by class. Students in Classes 1 and 2 receive Rs 400 per year, those in Classes 3 to 5 are given around Rs 500 annually, while students in Classes 6 to 8 receive approximately Rs 700 per year.
For students belonging to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Below Poverty Line (BPL) categories, the assistance is slightly higher. Students from Classes 1 to 5 in these categories receive around Rs 600 annually, while those in Classes 6 to 8 are provided about Rs 700 per year.
Education department officials said the revised condition will ensure that both students and parents take attendance more seriously, thereby strengthening student engagement with schooling.
Authorities believe that linking financial benefits to attendance will help bring more children to classrooms and support efforts to improve overall learning outcomes in government schools.
