Bihar to send 100 professors for training at global institutions, says CM Choudhary
Bihar CM Samrat Choudhary said 100 professors will be trained at prestigious global institutions, including Oxford, as part of efforts to improve higher education.
The Bihar government has begun work on an initiative to send 100 professors for training at leading institutions abroad, including the University of Oxford, Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary said on Sunday.
Speaking at the inauguration of an orientation programme for 2,451 newly appointed assistant professors, Mr. Choudhary said strengthening the capabilities of teachers and education professionals is central to raising the quality of education in the State. He added that avenues would also be created for teachers to interact with and learn from experts at some of the world's finest educational institutions.
Highlighting the State's spending priorities, the Chief Minister said 21% of Bihar's total budget is allocated to the education sector, reflecting the high priority the government attaches to it. He said the aim is not simply to increase the number of educational institutions but to build a modern, high-quality system that serves students' futures.
Mr. Choudhary said there is no shortage of talent among Bihar's youth and that what they need is access to quality education, modern resources and proper guidance. Newly appointed assistant professors, he said, can play a pivotal role in meeting that goal.
He urged the new faculty members to work with commitment and dedication, and asked them to ensure at least 75% student attendance in colleges. The government's efforts to expand higher education, he said, will not produce results if students do not attend classes regularly.
Describing the responsibility given to the assistant professors as important, the Chief Minister said a teacher's role goes beyond imparting subject knowledge to shaping students' personalities, mindsets and futures.
Mr. Choudhary said Bihar has been a land of knowledge since ancient times, with centres such as Nalanda and Vikramshila having guided the world, and that the State must carry forward that legacy by combining modern technology with quality education and better facilities.
On infrastructure, he said Bihar became the first State in the country to launch 211 degree colleges in a single day, and that the education system and academic infrastructure will be expanded significantly in the coming days so that more students can access superior higher education.
He also said 700 'Saraswati Vidya Niketan' model schools are being developed to strengthen school education, with facilities including coaching for competitive examinations such as NEET and JEE, live classes and round-the-clock online tuition.