Change in Minimum Marks for Backward Classes and Women Candidates in TET
The Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) will now consider candidates from backward classes, extremely backward classes, and general category women as passed if they score 82 out of 150 marks. Previously, the minimum passing mark for these categories was 82.5, which has now been reduced. The Education Department issued this order on Friday. The department stated that this decision was made in light of the Allahabad High Court’s order and guidelines issued by the NCTE. In Bihar, the passing percentage for OBC and EBC has been reduced from 60% to 55% following the court’s directive. Earlier, candidates scoring 82.5 marks were considered passed, as 55% of 150 is 82.5. However, based on the court’s order, the NCTE has stipulated that candidates will now pass with 82 marks. No other changes have been made to the TET. Notably, in Bihar, candidates from Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes are considered passed with 50% marks, while the minimum passing percentage for the general category is 60%.
Committee to Be Formed to Address Salary Disparities of Government Teachers
Salary disparities of government school teachers, both employed and those transitioned to special categories, will be resolved. Appropriate decisions will also be made regarding the provision of service continuity benefits for teachers. For this, a high-level committee will be constituted by the Education Department. Based on the committee’s report, chaired by the Education Secretary, the government will review and take suitable decisions. Education Minister Sunil Kumar announced this in the Legislative Council. On Friday, the Education Minister was responding to a call attention motion brought by 11 members, including Sanjay Kumar Singh of CPI, Sanjeev Kumar Singh of JDU, Madan Mohan Jha of Congress, and Naval Kishore Yadav of BJP. Naval Kishore Yadav asked the Education Minister to inform the House about the timeline for the committee’s report. Intervening, Council Chairman Awadhesh Narayan Singh urged that the committee’s report be submitted by the end of April. Earlier, the Education Minister stated that employed teachers who passed the competency test have been granted state employee status, marking a new service for them, and they are receiving benefits in their total salary.
Grants for Non-Funded Educational Institutions to Be Released Soon
In response to a call attention motion by BJP’s Naval Kishore Yadav and Jeevan Kumar, the Education Minister stated that grants for teachers and staff of non-funded educational institutions will be released soon. Previously, more than 1500 crore rupees were disbursed under the grant category between the financial years 2014 and 2017. There is a possibility of funds being released before Holi. The Education Minister assured that if any irregularities or corruption in the disbursement of grants for non-funded teachers are reported, a vigilance investigation will be conducted, and action will be taken. Earlier, CPI’s Sanjay Kumar Singh had pointed out that grants for teachers and staff of non-funded institutions have been pending for 7-8 years.
Review of Low Salaries for Urdu Teachers Within 15 Days
In response to RJD’s Abdul Bari Siddiqui’s call attention motion regarding low salaries for Urdu teachers, the Education Minister stated that a review will be conducted within 15 days, and an appropriate decision will be taken thereafter. Earlier, the questioner highlighted that teachers appointed through BPSC receive a monthly salary of 54,640 rupees, while those in minority schools receive only 27,607 rupees per month. All facilities available to state employees will be provided.
Committee Formed to Restore Codes of 641 Government-Aided Secondary Schools
Patna: Education Minister Sunil Kumar stated that the Education Department has formed a committee to make an appropriate decision regarding the restoration of codes for 641 government-aided secondary schools in the state. A decision will be taken based on the committee’s recommendations. Within the framework of rules, necessary decisions will be made with a positive approach wherever possible. The Education Minister made this statement on Friday while responding to a call attention motion by MLC Jeevan Kumar and others. He added that these schools have been given sufficient time to comply with the required standards. With Holi approaching, attention needs to be paid to this matter. The Education Minister assured that he would discuss the issue with senior officials today and take appropriate steps.
Distribution of Appointment Letters to Teachers of BPSC Phase III
Patna: Teachers appointed through BPSC’s third phase will receive their appointment letters from the Chief Minister on March 9 at Gandhi Maidan. Teachers from across the state will participate in the appointment letter distribution ceremony. Out of these, 100 teachers from Patna district, including 50 women and 50 men, will receive their appointment letters from the Chief Minister on stage. District Education Officer Sanjay Kumar informed that these 100 teachers, who will be honored on stage, will arrive in Patna a day earlier on March 8. Arrangements have been made for them to stay at the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT), from where they will travel to the event venue by vehicle.
Decisions on University Salaries and Other Issues
In response to a question from Prof. Naval Kishore Yadav, the Education Minister stated that the government is not considering making the services of guest assistant professors permanent. Regular appointments are being made for assistant professor posts. On another question, the Education Minister said that land arrangements and no-objection certificates are being provided for the establishment of central schools in the state. Responding to Dr. Sanjeev Kumar Singh’s question, the Education Minister assured that a review will be conducted regarding the reduction of subject teachers in secondary and higher secondary schools, and amendments will be made if necessary. Legislative Council Chairman Awadhesh Narayan Singh drew the Education Minister’s attention to the fact that salaries of teachers and non-teaching staff in several universities have not been released for months. There is a possibility of a decision on this matter before Holi.
