The Bihar Education Department has decided to take harsh action against government teachers who receive private instruction. In a letter to district magistrates on Jan 1, Education Department Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) K K Pathak asked them to obtain written assurances from all private coaching centres under their jurisdiction that "no government school teachers will take classes in their institutions."
"The department has received complaints that certain government school teachers in their respective areas of posting were taking classes in private coaching institutes." "This practice must be investigated immediately," the letter stated.
On the condition of anonymity, a senior education department official stated that even after the undertakings, if the teachers are found engaging in such practices, strict departmental action will be taken against them, as well as legal action against the erring private coaching institutes. The department has also asked all district education officers in the state to send information about such teachers to the headquarters as soon as possible.
"As per the schedule, the Bihar School Examination Board (BSEB) practical and theory exams 2024 will begin from January 10 for both classes 10 and 12 across the state. Therefore, officials concerned are advised to ensure presence of all teachers in their schools where they are posted," the letter read.
"There is a need to check granting leave to teachers during board examinations. Officials need to ensure that in any case not more than 10 per cent of total teachers posted in a school go on leave during board exams at a time," it added.
According to a latest report, compiled by the education department, there are a total of 12,761 registered private coaching institutes in the state, with 9,95,533 students enrolled in these centres.
