In the past two months, more than 150 newly-recruited teachers in Bihar have tendered their resignations, with many attributing their decision to the perceived challenges posed by recent education reforms. The Bihar Education Department’s additional chief secretary, KK Pathak, has implemented several changes over the last six months, contributing to the teachers’ dissatisfaction.
One teacher, Aman Gupta, in his resignation letter, cited the extended school hours from 9 am to 5 pm, reduced school vacations for festivals, and the elimination of the summer vacation as key reasons for stepping down. Gupta’s case is not isolated, as a significant number of resignations have been linked to the introduced reforms, creating concerns about rural and distant postings.
The Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC), responsible for recruiting teachers, has recently hired 1.22 lakh educators, with ongoing examinations to appoint an additional 1.20 lakh teachers in state schools. Some of the contentious measures include increased school timings, frequent inspections, removal of summer vacations, and modifications to holiday schedules.
Critics, including Bihar Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) Association president Amit Vikram, have labeled the reforms as illogical. Vikram questioned the government’s decision to limit transfers, criticized the extended school hours, and emphasized the importance of adhering to the Right to Education Act provisions.
While the Education department defends the reforms, stating positive feedback from school visits by Additional Chief Secretary KK Pathak, critics argue for a more collaborative decision-making process involving teachers, parents, and government officials. The situation remains dynamic, with the possibility of further resignations and ongoing discussions about the impact of these reforms.
