Patna: In a move aimed at blending education with creativity and character-building, the Bihar Education Department has announced the formation of band teams in 534 secondary schools across all 38 districts of the state. The initiative will see one band team formed in a school selected from each block, marking a significant step toward promoting extracurricular engagement in government schools.
Each band team will consist of 7 to 15 students who will be trained to play a variety of Indian and Western musical instruments including harmonium, tabla, dholak, guitar, taal, flute, trumpet, and shehnai. The plan is expected to roll out within this academic year, with preparations already underway at the department level.
Beyond Music: Building Life Skills
The initiative goes far beyond just musical education. Officials said that the objective is to inculcate qualities like unity, teamwork, emotional intelligence, discipline, a sense of responsibility, and cooperation among students.
“These bands will not only perform on major days like August 15 (Independence Day), January 26 (Republic Day), and October 2 (Gandhi Jayanti) but also at school cultural events and welcome ceremonies for dignitaries,” an education department official said.
Dedicated Music Teachers to Be Appointed
To ensure proper training, music teachers will be appointed in the selected schools. These teachers will scout students who show interest in music and performing arts, and offer them regular sessions either before or after school hours, to prevent interference with academic learning.
“The training will be tailored to each student’s interest and aptitude. Once the model proves successful in the selected 534 schools, it will be expanded to other schools across Bihar,” the official added.
Gateway to Future Careers in Music
In addition to enriching school life, the initiative is being seen as a platform for students to explore career opportunities in music and the performing arts. Students from these school bands will also get opportunities to participate in music competitions at the district, state, and national levels.
“This exposure at an early age could help talented students identify a career path in music,” said another department official. “It will also raise the cultural profile of our government schools.”
