Patna: Government secondary and higher secondary schools in Patna district will now be required to conduct practical classes three days a week, after an official inspection found that laboratories were being underused and the overall academic environment was “not conducive to learning”.
The directive was issued by the district education office following a review of government schools, which raised concerns about classroom engagement, cleanliness and the use of infrastructure meant to support experiential learning.
Saifur Rahman, district programme officer (secondary), expressed dissatisfaction over what he described as a lack of attention to academic standards and school upkeep. Headteachers have been instructed to take immediate steps to improve the learning environment and ensure campuses are maintained in a clean and organised condition.
Under the new guidelines, each school will appoint a nodal teacher responsible for overseeing laboratory-based teaching. The teacher will maintain a diary documenting topics covered during practical sessions, while headteachers will be required to update and monitor the record daily. Officials have also directed that practical sessions be integrated across subjects in line with the prescribed curriculum.
The reforms place particular emphasis on shifting students from passive learning to more participatory classroom activity. Schools have been asked to encourage group discussions, projects, debates, cultural activities, science exhibitions and role-play exercises as part of regular teaching practice. Teachers, the guidelines state, should aim to foster curiosity and independent enquiry among students.
Alongside classroom reforms, the district education office has called for greater focus on reading habits. Schools have been instructed to strengthen libraries by ensuring access to newspapers and magazines in addition to textbooks, and to actively promote their use among students. The formation of “reading clubs” has also been mandated, with headteachers authorised to appoint nodal teachers to coordinate them.
Officials have also advised limiting students’ exposure to social media, urging teachers to encourage reduced use alongside the promotion of reading and academic engagement.
