The Bihar Education Department reduced the salaries of 12,987 school teachers who were discovered absent during inspections, according to a senior official on Friday. Additionally, 39 teachers have been suspended for various teaching violations during the same period. Furthermore, 13 educators have been dismissed from service for being absent allegedly ranging from six months to two years without any prior sanction, along with violations of teachers’ recruitment regulations.
The department official declared that in the last six months, the department has deducted salaries of 12,987 teachers who were found absent from duty for a period of six months to two years without obtaining permission from the competent authority. He also mentioned on the condition of anonymity that recommendations have been forwarded for the salary deduction of an additional 131 teachers. Furthermore, in the past six months, 13 teachers have been dismissed for allegedly violating the provisions of the Bihar School Teachers’ Recruitment regulations.
Criticism has been directed towards the state education department for its recent circulars related to teachers. On December 26, the Raj Bhavan in Bihar issued a directive to the state’s chief secretary, urging immediate measures against the unconstitutional and autocratic orders issued by the higher education wing of the education department. Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar expressed concern that such orders appeared to be intent to destroy the academic environment in the state.
Both the alliance partners of the Mahagathbandhan government in Bihar and the opposition BJP have called for the immediate withdrawal of the controversial circulars.
Since the department initiated thorough inspections of schools on July 1, following instructions from Additional Chief Secretary K K Pathak, officials at various levels, from block to district, have been inspecting schools in their jurisdiction according to the department’s roster.
The state education department has implemented several stringent measures to enhance the quality of education in the state. In response to the disciplinary actions against teachers, Sandeep Saurav, an MLA of the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) Liberation, conveyed to PTI on Friday that certain circulars of the department related to teachers are autocratic. While they support reforms in the state’s education system, it should be implemented with a human face. Teachers should not be solely held accountable for the shortcomings in the education system.
The Mahagathbandhan government in Bihar includes the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) Liberation as one of its alliance partners.
Despite multiple efforts by PTI, Bihar Education Minister Chandra Shekhar was unavailable for comment on the matter.
