Patna: Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary has set a target of creating sufficient employment opportunities within the state before 2030, while announcing plans to recruit around 33,000 teachers and improve facilities in government schools.
Addressing a state-level painting and speech competition prize distribution ceremony at Bapu Sabhagar in Patna on Saturday, the Chief Minister said the government was working to improve school infrastructure, strengthen the quality of education and expand employment opportunities for young people.
He said basic facilities in government schools, including painting, fans and other essential amenities, would be improved by next March.
Government Schools to See Improvements by March
The Chief Minister said the government was working to improve the condition of government schools, with a focus on providing students with a better learning environment.
Planned improvements include painting school buildings, repairing or installing fans and addressing other essential infrastructure needs.
He stressed that better buildings and facilities alone would not be enough. Improving teaching quality, ensuring adequate teachers and providing modern educational resources would also be necessary to strengthen the school system.
Target to Create Jobs Within Bihar Before 2030
Choudhary said the government wanted to reduce the need for people from Bihar to migrate to other states in search of employment.
The target is to create adequate opportunities within Bihar before 2030 by expanding industries and linking education with skill development and employment.
He said shortcomings in electricity, roads and water supply had previously created difficulties for industrial development. With improvements in basic infrastructure, the next priority would be to expand industrial activity and create more jobs for young people.
The Chief Minister also emphasised the need to develop good schools, colleges and universities so that students could pursue education within Bihar rather than having to move elsewhere.
Education Receives Around 21% of State Budget
The Chief Minister said approximately 21% of Bihar’s budget was being spent on education.
He said the investment must translate into better learning outcomes and improvements across schools and higher education institutions.
Teacher recruitment, professional training and access to modern educational resources would be important parts of the effort to improve the quality of education.
Around 3.5 Lakh Students Enrolled in 700 Model Schools
Choudhary said approximately 700 model schools across Bihar serve around 3.5 lakh students.
The government is working to improve facilities in these institutions and expand the use of digital learning. According to the Chief Minister, around 1.42 lakh students use online learning facilities on regular days, with the number rising to approximately 1.75 lakh at weekends.
He also referred to PM SHRI schools and said the government aimed to address essential facility-related requirements in these institutions by next March.
211 Degree Colleges Cited in Higher Education Expansion
The Chief Minister also highlighted efforts to expand access to higher education, including an initiative involving 211 new degree colleges.
He said students should be able to access higher education closer to home, including at the block level.
However, he stressed that establishing colleges must be accompanied by the appointment of qualified teachers and efforts to maintain academic standards.
Preparations Underway to Recruit 33,000 Teachers
Choudhary said the state was working towards recruiting approximately 33,000 additional teachers.
He said adequate staffing was essential to improving classroom teaching and ensuring that students received proper attention.
The Chief Minister also called for practical arrangements in teacher postings. He said women teachers should, as far as possible, be posted in nearby panchayats, while other teachers should be placed in blocks close to their homes.
He referred to the approximately seven lakh teachers working in the state and emphasised that recruitment must be supported by training and continued attention to teaching quality.
International Training Planned for Teachers
The government also plans to provide selected educators with exposure to international teaching practices.
Choudhary referred to plans to send around 100 college teachers for training at the University of Oxford, institutions in Australia and other reputed educational centres.
He said the teachers would return to Bihar after their training and contribute to improving education standards.
The Chief Minister also invoked Bihar’s historical legacy of learning, referring to the ancient universities of Nalanda and Vikramshila. He said the state needed modern institutions and improved teaching systems to regain a stronger position in education.
Chief Minister Highlights Growth in Bihar’s Budget
Choudhary said Bihar’s budget had grown from around Rs 6,000 crore in the past to approximately Rs 3.17 lakh crore in 2024.
He said the expansion of the budget had also increased the government’s responsibilities, particularly in education, healthcare, infrastructure and employment.
Industrial expansion and job creation, he added, would be important to strengthening the state’s economy.
Bicycle and Uniform Schemes Helped Bring Children to School
The Chief Minister also referred to schemes such as bicycle and school-uniform assistance, which were introduced to encourage children to attend school.
He highlighted the role of Jeevika groups in uniform distribution and said education and employment needed to advance together to support Bihar’s overall development.
‘Today’s Children Are Tomorrow’s Heroes’
Congratulating participants in the state-level painting and speech competition, Choudhary said children would become the heroes and leaders of the future.
He emphasised the importance of giving students opportunities to develop their talents and said education should prepare them not only to pass examinations but also to meet the challenges of life.
The Chief Minister said Bihar’s development depended on providing children with quality education, better facilities and opportunities to progress.
The government’s stated priorities include improving school infrastructure, recruiting teachers, expanding higher education and creating more employment opportunities within the state.
