Bihar Plans Immediate Transfer of Newly Constructed Schools and Enhancement of Educational Facilities

An important review meeting was held under the chairmanship of Secretary Shri Manoj Kumar in Backward Classes and Extremely Backward Classes Welfare Department, Bihar, Patna. In this meeting, the progress of various schemes and pending works run by the department was discussed in detail.

During the meeting, Secretary Shri Kumar mainly conducted an in-depth review on the following important topics:

• Inspection and transfer of newly constructed schools: The Secretary directed to ensure immediate transfer of schools whose construction work has been completed so that the new academic session can be conducted smoothly in the newly constructed buildings. The concerned officer informed that till now 8 newly constructed schools have been transferred. The Secretary directed to establish computer lab, science laboratory and library in these schools immediately and to provide funds for the services provided by Jeevika.

• Status of enrollment in schools and availability of teachers: While reviewing the enrollment in schools, the Secretary directed that the vacant seats should be filled from the waiting list after April 22. He also said that in the districts where departmental buildings have been constructed, enrollment should be ensured to full capacity. The Secretary emphasized on ensuring availability of adequate teachers for smooth teaching from class 6 to 12 in the schools run in the buildings constructed by the department.

• Payment of Civil Service Incentive Amount: The Secretary enquired about the current status of payment of Civil Service Incentive Amount. He suggested that physical verification can be done before paying the amount to avoid fraud.

• Status of newly constructed hostels and mess operation: The current status of newly constructed hostels and the arrangement of mess operation in them were also discussed.

• Operation/Construction of Other Backward Class Boys Residential +2 Schools and Girls Hostels: The progress of operation of Other Backward Class Boys Residential +2 Schools in all the divisions and construction of 100-seat girls hostels at the divisional level was reviewed.

• Construction of Working Women Hostel: The progress of construction work of Working Women Hostel at the divisional level was also discussed.

• Training of Principals of Schools: The Secretary laid special emphasis on the training of Principals of Schools.

• Creation of posts in OBC Girls Residential +2 High Schools: Instructions were given to expedite the process of creation of essential posts like laboratory assistants and nurses in OBC Girls Residential +2 High Schools.

• Budget: Departmental budget was reviewed.

The Secretary strictly instructed all the officers to submit necessary suggestions along with the inspection report while inspecting the status of school construction works. He also ordered to ensure availability of essential facilities like electricity and water in the newly constructed school buildings and Jananayak Karpuri Thakur hostels.

All the officers were also directed to ensure prompt action on the letters received from the Hon'ble Minister.

It was also informed in the meeting that for effective monitoring of Post Graduation Scholarship Scheme by Sub-Divisional Backward and Extremely Backward Classes Welfare Officers, process of purchasing laptops has been started and tender for the same has been issued. Besides, it was informed that KYP Centres are being set up in five Other Backward Classes Girls Residential +2 High Schools by Bihar Skill Development Mission with the help of Beltron, and the Secretary directed to start these Centres within the stipulated time frame.

Additional Secretary, Deputy Secretary and other officers of the Department were also present in this review meeting held at Secretary Office Vesham.