1. Bihar Education Department Identifies Errors in Bank Accounts of 11.87 Lakh Students on E-Shikshakosh Portal
Patna, March 12, 2025 (State Bureau, Jagran) – The Bihar Education Department has uncovered multiple discrepancies in the bank account details of 11,86,936 students from government schools registered on the E-Shikshakosh portal. These errors are delaying the transfer of funds under various beneficiary schemes, and the department has issued a directive to all districts to rectify them within a week. According to data from the Education Department, the errors include a staggering 7,54,397 students whose listed bank accounts do not exist in the respective banks. Additionally, 683 students’ bank names and IFSC codes do not match, while the bank names of 4,22,711 students are not found in the Public Financial Management System (PFMS) Bank Master. Further, five students’ IFSC codes correspond to bank branches that are no longer operational, and 8,444 students’ accounts have been closed. The remaining errors pertain to issues with Unique Identification (UID) details linked to the accounts.
All these erroneous entries are currently displayed on the E-Shikshakosh portal, raising concerns about the timely disbursal of scheme benefits. In response, Primary Education Director Sahila, who also serves as the nodal officer for Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), has instructed all District Education Officers (DEOs) and District Programme Officers (DPOs) for Planning and Accounts to correct the errors and update accurate data on the portal within seven days. The department has emphasized that this task must be treated with the highest priority to ensure students receive their entitled benefits without further delay.
2. Mid-Day Meal Approved for 1.03 Crore Bihar Students in 2025-26; Aadhaar Linkage Reduces Count by 6 Lakh
Patna, March 12, 2025 (Hindustan Bureau) – The Central Government has granted approval for the Mid-Day Meal (MDM) scheme to cover 1.03 crore children in Bihar’s primary schools (Classes 1 to 8) for the 2025-26 academic session. This decision was made during a pre-meeting of the Project Approval Board (PAB). Notably, this figure is 6 lakh lower than the current session’s 1.09 crore beneficiaries. Education officials attribute this reduction to the mandatory linkage of Aadhaar numbers with school enrollments, a measure that has significantly reduced instances of duplicate registrations. Previously, complaints were common about children being enrolled in both government and private schools simultaneously. With Aadhaar now compulsory, such dual enrollments have decreased, leading to a more accurate count of eligible students.
The number of children approved for the MDM scheme is determined based on daily attendance and meal consumption data from schools, which also influences the allocation of funds shared between the Centre and the state at a 60:40 ratio. Bihar’s 68,000 primary schools currently serve mid-day meals to students daily, supported by 2,18,000 cooks who receive a monthly honorarium of Rs 1,650. Of this, Rs 1,000 is sanctioned by the Centre (with the state contributing 40%), while the Bihar government adds an additional Rs 650 from its own funds.
Meanwhile, MDM Director Sahila has issued a stern warning to all DEOs and DPOs overseeing the scheme, stating that any negligence leading to disruptions in meal distribution will result in strict action against those responsible. A recent review revealed that several districts have failed to submit complete data on the E-Shikshakosh portal, with some headmasters neglecting to provide reports. Additionally, the portal’s data indicated that the MDM scheme has been halted in certain districts due to a shortage of food grains. Sahila has directed officials to investigate and ensure immediate supply restoration. The PAB’s final approval meeting is expected in April, solidifying the plan for the upcoming session.
3. Annual Examinations Begin in Bihar’s Primary and Middle Schools with Anti-Cheating Measures
Raghunathpur, March 12, 2025 (Correspondent) – Annual examinations for students in Classes 3 to 8 commenced on Wednesday across Bihar’s primary and middle schools, as per directives from the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT). The exams, which began with a written Mathematics test, are scheduled to conclude on March 20, 2025. To ensure a fair and malpractice-free process, teachers from different schools have been appointed as invigilators. Approximately 3.5 lakh students from the district are participating in this year’s examinations.
The process started with oral exams for Classes 1 and 2 on the first two days, followed by written tests for higher classes from the third day onward. No exams are scheduled for March 13, though students will attend school to prepare for subsequent tests. The next written exam is set for March 17, with the schedule continuing until March 20. The SCERT has provided question papers and answer sheets to facilitate smooth conduct, and evaluation materials have been distributed to schools in advance.
In Badhariya, students displayed enthusiasm during the Mathematics exam, with Classes 1 and 2 taking oral tests while Classes 3 to 8 appeared for written papers in two shifts. The Bihar Education Project’s guidelines ensured a cheating-free environment, with officials like BRPs Ajit Sinha, Rahul Kumar, Rangilal Baitha, Santosh Yadav, Vikrama Prasad, Ramnaresh Ram, Anil Ram, Anil Mishra, and Accountant Balister Singh overseeing operations. Teachers assigned to exam duties will be relieved on March 20, though confusion persists about their whereabouts on March 13 due to unclear guidelines. Block Education Officer (BEO) Meen Kumari noted the lack of specific instructions from the district, leaving some teachers uncertain whether to report to their original or assigned schools.
Post-exam, results will be declared after the Holi festival, enabling students to progress to higher studies. BEO Rajiv Pandey emphasized that the swift announcement of results will provide opportunities for further education. The process has been lauded for its organization, with teachers and officials working diligently to ensure success.
4. Teachers Assigned to Exam Duties to Report to Original Schools on March 13
Patna, March 12, 2025 – Annual examinations for Classes 1 to 8 in Bihar’s government and aided schools began on March 10. With no exams scheduled for Thursday, March 13, the District Programme Officer (DPO) for Primary Education and Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan has instructed all teachers involved in invigilation to report to their original schools. They are tasked with preparing students for upcoming subjects. The DPO has issued a letter to all primary and middle school headmasters and in-charge headmasters, mandating attendance registration at their home institutions on that day to ensure continuity in exam preparations.
