By Neeraj Kumar
Patna: A shocking revelation has surfaced in Bihar, where the double admission of 352,600 students has been exposed. According to reports, 176,300 students have been registered in both government and private schools. The District Education Officers (DEOs) have been informed of this and instructed to rectify the situation immediately. As of now, these students will not be eligible to receive any benefits from government schemes.
The situation escalated when it was discovered that several students were enrolled in different classes in both schools. The highest number of double enrollments was recorded in Madhubani, with 19,200 students, followed by Sitamarhi with 18,490. The lowest numbers were found in Sheikhpura, with 2,006, and Kishanganj, with 2,794. There is a strong likelihood that these students may have been receiving benefits from both schools under government schemes. In the past, it was common for funds to be manipulated by registering the same student in two or more schools.
In response to this issue, Bihar Education Project Council (BEPC) Administrative Officer Shahjahan stated that a letter has been sent to all District Education Officers, along with a school-wise list of affected students. Instructions have been given to eliminate double admissions at all costs, and students with dual enrolment will be excluded from benefits provided via the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) scheme. Responsibility for resolving the issue has been placed squarely on the DEOs.
On September 27, the Additional Chief Secretary of the Education Department, S. Siddharth, reviewed the e-Shikshakosh portal through a video conference. It was during this review that the double admissions were revealed.
The Education Department had previously ordered the entry of details of all students studying in government, subsidised, and recognised private schools, along with their Aadhaar numbers, on the e-Shikshakosh portal. However, since many children did not possess an Aadhaar card, their names were uploaded on the portal without it, leading to the discovery of double admissions.
District-wise Double Enrolment Numbers:
Madhubani: 19,208
Sitamarhi: 18,490
Darbhanga: 18,344
Muzaffarpur: 15,774
Samastipur: 15,026
Begusarai: 14,704
Saran: 14,636
Gaya: 14,420
Vaishali: 14,116
Purnia: 13,854
East Champaran: 13,562
Araria: 11,168
Supaul: 11,126
Siwan: 10,648
Katihar: 10,292
Madhepura: 10,254
Nawada: 9,456
Patna: 9,202
Nalanda: 8,274
Rohtas: 6,630
Bhagalpur: 6,348
Aurangabad: 6,046
Bhojpur: 5,250
Buxar: 4,876
Gopalganj: 4,270
Kaimur: 4,184
Munger: 3,944
Sheohar: 3,254
Arwal: 2,952
Jehanabad: 2,914
Kishanganj: 2,794
Sheikhpura: 2,006
