Patna– The Bihar government’s Education Department, under the leadership of Additional Chief Secretary KK Pathak, has taken a significant step towards improving the quality of education and ensuring higher attendance in schools across the state. In a recent announcement, KK Pathak issued a directive to all district officials, ordering a ban on coaching classes between the hours of 9 am to 4 pm, aligning coaching center schedules with regular school hours.
This decisive move comes as part of the government’s effort to curtail the adverse effects of overlapping coaching center hours on school attendance. According to KK Pathak’s letter, many students were attending coaching institutes during regular school hours, resulting in a decline in classroom participation. Additionally, reports indicated that even government teachers were engaged in coaching activities during official school hours.
The Bihar Coaching Institute Act of 2020, which had previously been in effect, had not been effectively enforced. However, with this new directive, the government aims to rectify the situation and uphold the educational integrity of both schools and coaching centers.
KK Pathak’s letter outlines a phased approach to implementation. The first phase, spanning from August 1 to August 7, involves creating a comprehensive list of coaching institutes operating within each district, catering to various academic and competitive disciplines. During the second phase (August 8 to August 16), directors of coaching centers will be summoned for a meeting at the district level, during which they will be explicitly instructed not to conduct classes between 9 am and 4 pm. Coaching institutes are encouraged to schedule their classes either before or after these hours. Additionally, coaching centers are prohibited from employing individuals who are concurrently employed as teachers or staff members in government or non-government schools.
The third phase, set to take place from August 16 to August 31, will see subordinate officers conducting thorough inspections of coaching institutes to ensure compliance with the new regulations. In case any coaching center is found violating the established schedule, a written warning will be issued, urging an immediate adjustment of their timetable.
KK Pathak emphasized that these measures are intended to improve the overall educational environment in Bihar and enhance the attendance and engagement of students in regular schools. Furthermore, he indicated that if coaching institutes fail to adhere to these regulations and do not exhibit improvements by the stipulated deadline of August 31, 2023, the Education Department will release comprehensive guidelines for further actions in accordance with the existing rules.
This bold decision by the Bihar government reflects its commitment to nurturing a conducive learning environment for students and fostering a culture of education that prioritizes school attendance and quality instruction. As the state embarks on this new educational journey, all eyes are on the positive impact it will undoubtedly have on the future of Bihar’s students.
