Education in Bihar

The Ancient Period

The appreciation of the importance of education and educational practices in Bihar

date back to the period of Gautama Buddha and Mahavir in the 5 th century BC. During that period, the Buddhist and Jainist education started in parallel with the traditional Vedic education. The Buddhist education was based on the Ashtangic (eight-fold) Path, and its distinguishing features were: the introduction of a new curriculum, Pali & Prakrit, combining day schools with residential education and education through the medium of the language of the people. No doubt, both the Buddhists and the Jains used education to spread the teachings of their masters. However, their educational systems were not confined to religious and spiritual themes but were also closely related to life. A very important feature of these educational systems was that the door of education was open to all.

And also in the ancient Bihar was a major center of learning, teaching and research. There were two world-renowned universities i.e. the Nalanda University and the Vikramshila University. The Nalanda University was famed for providing education in Political Science and Economics, while Vikramshila known for education in Tantra. Unfortunately in medieval period this system of education destroyed by invading armies. Later British ruled the country and the area remain neglected.

It was the later part of British rule in India when Bihar saw some revival in education as the British established a University at Patna and some other institutes for higher education, like Science College, Patna, Prince of Wales Medical College (Now Patna Medical College and Hospital), and Bihar Engineering College (Now National Institute of Technology, Patna). However educational growth in the state did not stepped up further as post independence leaders from Bihar failed in establishing educational institutions in the state.

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Present scenario

Education is the heart and blood for one's culture. It is only education which helps in the total growth of a person. All the developed communities of the world have

a strong educational background. But the state Bihar shows a very low performance in this point.

Presently, Bihar education ranks lowest in the literacy rate among the Indian cities. Patna holds the highest literacy rate in Bihar with 63.82%, Kishangang ranks the lowest with 31.02%. This is because the educational institutes are not of a good quality. As a result a lots are needed to be done so that the education scenario in Bihar can be developed.

It is a fact that prosperity would not come without education. So the present condition have to be improved. Of late, the central Government as well as the state Government have taken lots of projects in hand to restore the prevailing condition

School Education in Bihar

Bihar still follows the same system of schooling that prevailed during the time of British rule in India. There are approximately 71,832 schools in Bihar which are either run by the government or by private organizations. The state-run schools in Bihar are administered by the state government. One can also come across district schools in Bihar. The government schools in the state are affiliated to the Bihar School Examination Board. However, most of the private schools in Bihar are either affiliated to the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) or Council for the Indian School Certificate Examination board. Hindi and English are the primary languages for instruction in Bihar schools. There is a great demand for more schools and institutes to facilitate the Bihar education system. Kendriya Vidyalaya Khagaul Patna, St Joseph School Bhagalpur, Kendriya Vidyalaya Danapur Patna and Don Bosco Academy Patna are some of the popular schools in Bihar including school-chains and Missionary Schools run by Christian Missionaries as well as Madrasas, or schools run by Muslim clerics has increased. The school-chains and Missionary Schools run by Christian Missionaries are considered as some of the best schools in the state

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Higher Education in Bihar

The higher education scenario of Bihar is completely prevailed by universities in Bihar. All these universities offer wide range of courses to students who are ambitious of pursuing higher studies. Apart from offering conventional degree programs, the universities in Bihar have come up with various career oriented courses. Along with under graduate, post graduate, doctoral and post doctoral programs students can also obtain wide range of certificate and diploma courses, exclusively for job purpose. There is also agricultural, medical science and Arabic and Persian study universities among the Bihar Universities. Some of the universities in Bihar are among the oldest educational institutes of India and occupy significant positions in the history of Indian Education. Here we are providing you with relevant details about universities in Bihar.

Universities in Bihar

1. Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar Bihar University, Muzaffarpur, Bihar

2. Bhupendra Narayan Mandal University, Madhepura, Bihar

3. Bihar Yoga Bharati (Deemed University), Ganga Darshan Fort Munge Bihar

4. BRA Bihar University, Muzaffarpur, Bihar

5. Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, Sheikhpura Patna, Bihar

6. Jai Prakash Vishwavidyalaya Chapra, Bihar

7. Kameshwar Singh Darbhanga Sanskrit University Kameshwar Nagar Darbhnaga, Bihar

8. Lalit Narayan Mithila University Darbhanga, Bihar

9. Magadh University Bodh Gaya, Bihar

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10. Maulana Mazharul Haque Arabic and Persian University, Patna

11. Nalanda Open University Reshmi Complex, 7th Floor Kidwaipuri Patna Bihar

12. Patna University, Patna, Bihar

13. Rajendra Agricultural University, Pusa, Samastipur, Bihar

14. Tilka Manjhi Bhagalpur University Bhagalpur, Bihar

15. Veer Kunwar Singh University Arrah, Bihar

Apex Organizations in Bihar

The apex organizations in Bihar play quite crucial role in developing the complete educational status of the state of Bihar. This is a common aspect about all system, that if resources cannot be administered properly, then proper purpose of that system and organizations related to it cannot be served. The apex organizations in Bihar are properly administering resources of the whole education system and that’s why since last few year educational scenario of Bihar has changed remarkably.

The apex organizations in Bihar controls a wide range of educational curriculum, starting from school level education and organizing education to harmonizing higher study system in the state and at the same time proper administration of various public examinations. New horizons have opened up in the field of technical education in Bihar after establishment of Technical Education department. So, it can be said that the altogether educational standard of the state is quite encouraging and apex organizations in Bihar have a great role to play behind such development.

Bihar Combined Entrance Competitive Examination (BCECE)

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The Bihar Combined Entrance Competitive Examination Board (BCECEB) was established by Government of Bihar for administration of Competitive Entrance Examination in the State. The BCEB is established under the Bihar Combined Entrance Competitive Examination Act 1995. At present the Board Conducts following entrance examinations.

Bihar Combined Entrance Competitive Examination (BCECE) Post Graduate Medical Admission Test (PGMAT)

Diploma Certificate Competitive Entrance Examination (DCECE)

Bihar Combined Entrance Competitive Examination [Lateral Entry] - BCECE [LE]

ITICAT

Bihar Education Project Council (BEPC)

The Bihar Education Project Council (BEPC) popularly termed as Bihar Education Project (BEP) is established in 1991. The organization has given the task by the government to achieve Universal Elementary Education (UEE) in the state. The organization is responsible for making elementary education stronger by improving education standard in elementary schools. Encouraging school age children to join school and preventing dropouts from school is also the responsibility of this organization. The council has District Offices in 37 districts of Bihar. The main office of the council is located in Patna. At present the Bihar Education Project Council (BEPC) runs the following educational projects -

Sarva Shiksha Abhiyaan (SSA) National Programme for Education of Girls at Elementary

Level (NPEGEL)

Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya (KGBV)

District Primary Education Programme (D.P.E.P.)

School Sanitation and Hygiene Education (SSHE)

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Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC)

Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) is the administrating authority for Administrative Examinations in the state. One of the most coveted examinations conducted by the BPSC is Provincial Civil Services (PCS) of the state. Every year thousands of students appear for this examination for recruitment in the administrative services in the state.

Bihar School Examination Board (BSEB)

The Bihar School Examination Board is established by the state government for administration of examination at the end of secondary school level. The board is also made responsible for prescribing syllabus for such examinations and for carrying out many other tasks as mentioned in the Act, Rules, and Regulations of the Board. Every year board conducts Annual Secondary School Examination in the month of February/March and Supplementary School Examination in the month of August/September. The Board also conducts departmental examinations (not on yearly basis) such as Diploma in Physical Education, Certificate in Physical Education and Teachers Training Examination.

State Board of Technical Education (SBT)

The State Board of Technical Education (SBTE) Bihar is a unit of Department of Science & Technology, Bihar government. This unit constituted on 31 May 1955 to administer technical education in the state. Polytechnics and Women’s Industrial Institutes in the state comes under the administrative control of SBTE.  The office of SBTE is located in the State Capital Patna.

Importance of education in Bihar

1. Girls' Education-

The deterrents to girls' education are rooted in their homes and society. Educating girls is commonly perceived as unnecessary; mainly on account of the role they have been assigned in running the house and also because they will eventually leave their

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parental homes after marriage where their skills in household chores will hold them in better stead. Poor retention of girls is attributed to two main factors. The first is the tendency of parents to withdraw them from school on attainment of adolescent age (say 9+) as they become capable of fulfilling certain domestic needs (sustenance activities & sibling care) while the second is the school environment itself which neither encourages girls nor is able to bring out the best in them. During the seasons of harvest, marriages, festivals, etc. girls' attendance at school suffer a setback as they are kept back at home. In the absence of any mechanism to address their need as a result of these periods of absenteeism, their achievement suffers. Thus begins the cycle of teachers' neglect in the classroom leading to disinterest and de-motivation eventually resulting in their leaving school. Added to these are natural barriers, distance to school.  

Standard 1997-98 1998-99 1999-2000

Bihar UP Bihar UP Bihar UP

Primary Classes (I-V)

age 6-11 years

Boys 90.9 74.1 93.20 75.97 94.97 78.43

Girls 59.4 48.9 61.51 49.31 49.31 50.18

Total 75.9 62.3 78.02 63.35 63.02 64.97

2. Improvemet health care of citizen-

As we know healthy citizen help to economy growth of state as well as country. Education teaches how you can make yourself

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healthy which is helpful to you and your state. The most recently released indicators of child nutritional status reflect an even graver situation. The National Family Health Survey-III (2008-09) reports that 58 percent of children in Bihar (compared to an all-India average of 46percent) are underweight and 42.3 percent of children under 3 are stunted, reflecting widespread and chronic under-nutrition during the critical first years of life.infection rates are high and health and nutrition practices poor. Breastfeedingpractices, an essential aspect of childcare and nutrition, are particularly poor inthe state. 2 out of every 3 children being raised in Bihar do not receive the recommended schedule of immunizations. Given the close linkages between women and children’s health, predictably women’s health is poor with 68.3 percent of ever married women anaemic and 43 percent in the 15-49 year age group with chronic energy deficiency2. In such a context, there is no doubt that there is an urgent need for investment andaction to strengthen integrated primary health systems through a range of approaches and improvements at multiple levels. Which only can do by educate people of bihar.

3. Reduce Unemployment

Unemployment is a situation in which employment opportunity is not available to an adult person who is willing to work. Education is a first step of ladder which helps you to reach the success in life.

Percent Of Total Population Of Bihar EmployedIn Organised Sector

Census year Public sector

Private sector Total

1971 5.9 3.7 9.6

1981 6.4 3.1 9.5

1991 6.2 2.5 8.7

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4. Reduction of population-

Bihar's population in the ensuing census may reach 100 millions. Excluding one-forth, being that of Jharkhand, it comes to 7.5 crores in truncated Bihar. Its land area is 94786.72 sq Km which means that its density is 791 persons per sq Km. The rate of population growth in Bihar is 3.1% which is the highest in the country and it has to be brought down to replacement level. If growth of population is not checked, no amount of development is sustainable in Bihar. Higher population impact on Bihar poverty. According to All India Statistical Data 1999-2000, 54.63% of total population of Bihar survive in absolute poverty i.e., they are living below poverty line. It means, they do not even receive the minimum basic needs of livelihood. Education create awareness against population and show merit and demerit of high population .

According to census of 1991, Bihar has 10.2% of India's total population though it covers only 5.71% of country's area and produces only 8% of the total production of national foodgrains. The share of rural population is 86.5% and of urban population is 13.5%. If urbanisation is a factor of diminishing poverty, it lies much behind. If the urban population of Bihar is compared since 1971 it increases only 3.5% in 20 years.

5.lead to industrial growth-

Industrial growth depends on the human resources of company. So well educated people increase the growth of industry. Bihar’s ‘growth miracle’ in the last 5 years. At a five-yearly average of 11.03 per cent, Bihar under Nitish Kumar has apparently been next only to Gujarat which clocked a growth rate of 11.07%, only marginally higher. Bihar’s NSDP (Net State Domestic Product) may have nearly doubled from Rs. 66,040 crore in 2004 to nearly Rs.

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1,19,443 crore in 2008–09, which is still paltry when compared to TN (Rs. 2,99,119 crore), Maharashtra (Rs. 5,04,950 crore) or Gujarat (Rs. 2,57,694 crore).

Present problem of education in bihar

There is a huge gap in demand and supply of education in the state. This is the reason the students are migrating from the state for receiving education. There is good percentage of pupils studying in institutes of higher education in other states like Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), Indian Institutes of Management (IIIMs), All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), etc.

The schooling system in Bihar is same as it was during British rule. State government administers state schools in Bihar. There is system of District Schools also called Zila Schools in the State. State schools are affiliated with Bihar School Examination Board.The literacy rate in Bihar is low as there is huge gap between demand and supply for school education as well as higher education. The state requires more number of schools and institutes for higher education. The Indian Institute of Technology and Nalanda University will soon be set up. With these institutions coming up it is expected that the literacy rate will be higher than it is at present as they will also attract many other educational institutions to set up their braches in the state.

Fact and figure

Educational Institutions

Category Total Number Affiliation

Total Enrolment Number of

Teachers

Teacher-Student

Ratio

Pre-Primary School 1 - 27316 - -

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Primary School 53697 - 10473252 115486 63

Elementary School 13761 - 2548580 99181 49

Secondary School 4146 - 1092237 39356 43

Senior Secondary School

227 - 34842

6135 41 Pre Degree /Junior College

537   365708

Board of Intermediate / Secondary Education

2 - - - -

Degree College 742(Arts/Sc./Com.

)

- 627338(BA/BSc.BCom.)

- -

Engg. College 9 - 6727(B.E./B.Sc./B.Arch.

)

- -

Professional College - - - - -

Medical College 23 - 15328(M.B.B.S)

- -

All University 17 - 35006(MA/MSc/MCom.)

961(Ph.D/D.Phil/D.Sc)

- -

Central University - - - - -

State university - - - - -

Deemed University 2 - - - -

Institution of National Importance

- - - - -

Research Institution 11 - - - -

Teacher Training College

15 - 2735(B.Ed./B.T.)

- -

Teacher Training School

195 - 1529 - -

Polytechnic Institutes 15 - 2833 - -

Technical /Industrial/Arts&Craft School

51 - 7049 -

Literacy Rate by Sex for the State and its Districts

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 Literacy Rate*

Persons Males Females

SL State/District 1991 2001 1991 2001 1991 2001

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

  Bihar State 37.49 47.53 51.37 60.32 21.99 33.57

1. West Champaran 27.99 39.63 39.62 51.91 14.41 25.85

2. East Champaran 27.59 38.14 39.65 50.14 13.69 24.65

3. Sheohar 26.18 37.01 36.36 45.54 14.34 27.43

4. Sitamarhi 28.49 39.38 39.86 51.02 15.49 26.35

5. Madhubani 33.22 42.35 48.49 57.26 16.75 26.56

6. Supaul 28.11 37.80 40.96 53.23 13.74 21.02

7. Araria 26.19 34.94 36.99 46.50 14.01 22.14

8. Kishanganj 22.22 31.02 33.12 42.80 10.38 18.49

9. Purnia 28.52 35.51 38.92 46.16 16.80 23.72

10. Katihar 28.70 35.29 39.24 45.51 16.88 24.03

11. Madhepura 27.72 36.19 39.31 48.87 14.41 22.31

12. Saharsa 29.98 39.28 42.37 52.04 15.83 25.31

13. Darbhanga 34.94 44.32 48.31 57.18 20.09 30.35

14. Muzaffarpur 36.11 48.15 48.44 60.19 22.33 35.20

15. Gopalganj 34.96 48.19 51.62 63.81 17.75 32.81

16. Siwan 39.13 52.01 57.51 67.67 21.33 37.26

17. Saran 41.79 52.01 60.18 67.81 22.71 35.74

18. Vaishali 40.56 51.63 55.62 64.00 24.08 38.14

19. Samastipur 36.37 45.76 50.39 57.83 21.17 32.69

20. Begusarai 36.88 48.55 48.66 59.71 23.52 36.21

21. Khagaria 32.33 41.56 42.97 52.02 19.79 29.62

22. Bhagalpur 41.84 50.28 53.41 60.11 28.11 38.83

23. Banka 34.55 43.40 48.17 56.28 18.99 29.10

24. Munger 52.25 60.11 64.95 70.68 37.07 47.97

25. Lakhisarai 39.40 48.21 53.12 60.97 23.48 34.26

26. Sheikhpura 40.92 49.01 55.43 62.56 24.41 34.13

27. Nalanda 46.95 53.64 61.95 66.94 29.97 39.03

28. Patna 56.33 63.82 69.07 73.81 41.35 52.17

29. Bhojpur 48.18 59.71 66.35 74.78 27.95 42.81

30. Buxar 33.49 57.49 62.94 72.82 25.74 40.36

31. Kaimur 39.35 55.57 55.68 70.57 20.69 38.90

32. Rohtas 48.52 62.36 64.50 76.54 30.29 46.62

33. Jehanabad 45.83 56.03 63.11 70.90 26.81 40.08

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34. Aurangabad 45.14 57.50 61.80 71.99 26.67 42.04

35. Gaya 40.47 51.07 55.22 63.81 24.20 37.40

36. Nawada 38.96 47.36 54.85 61.22 21.82 32.64

37. Jamui 33.41 42.74 48.48 57.10 16.41 26.92

* Literacy Rate is the percentage of literates to population of age 7 years and above

Category Total Number Affiliation

Total Enrolment Number of

Teachers

Teacher-Student

Ratio

Pre-PrimarySchool 1 - 27316 - -

PrimarySchool 53697 - 10473252 115486 63

ElementarySchool 13761 - 2548580 99181 49

SecondarySchool 4146 - 1092237 39356 43

SeniorSecondary School 227 - 34842 6135 41

PreDegree /Junior College 537   365708

Board ofIntermediate / Secondary Education

2 - - - -

DegreeCollege 742(Arts/Sc./Com.

)

- 627338(BA/BSc.BCom.)

- -

Engg.College 9 - 6727(B.E./B.Sc./B.Arch.

)

- -

ProfessionalCollege - - - - -

MedicalCollege 23 - 15328(M.B.B.S)

- -

AllUniversity 17 - 35006(MA/MSc/MCom.)

961(Ph.D/D.Phil/D.Sc)

- -

CentralUniversity - - - - -

State university - - - - -

DeemedUniversity 2 - - - -

Institutionof National Importance

- - - - -

ResearchInstitution 11 - - - -

TeacherTraining College 15 - 2735(B.Ed./B.T.)

- -

TeacherTraining School 195 - 1529 - -

PolytechnicInstitutes 15 - 2833 - -

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Technical/Industrial/Arts&Craft School

51 - 7049 -  

Literacy Rate from 1951 to 2001

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SL Year Persons Males Females

1 2 3 4 5

1. 1951 13.49 22.68 4.22

2. 1961 21.95 35.85 8.11

3. 1971 23.17 35.86 9.86

4. 1981 32.32 47.11 16.61

5. 1991 37.49 51.37 21.99

6. 2001 47.53 60.32 33.57