By Neeraj Kumar
Patna: Bihar is introducing a comprehensive monitoring system to oversee various aspects of government schools, ranging from education quality to teacher attendance. This system will facilitate monitoring at both the district and state levels, with the Education Department cross-referencing inspection reports at the headquarters. Strict departmental action will be taken against any officer found negligent in this process. Dr. S Siddharth, Additional Chief Secretary of the Education Department, has issued guidelines to all district officials.
According to the issued instructions, the District Magistrate (DM) of each district will personally inspect schools and review the inspection reports submitted by officers in their respective districts. The DM is empowered to take immediate action on any deficiencies identified and to propose further action at the state level to the headquarters. Appropriate action will be taken against the officials found at fault based on the DM’s proposal.
Dr. S Siddharth stated that approximately 8,000 officers and employees across the districts are involved in the inspection of government schools. In addition, officers from the state headquarters are also inspecting schools in the districts assigned to them. Each officer is required to inspect schools at least three days a week. The Deputy Development Commissioner of each district has allocated 10 to 15 schools for inspection over a three-month period, and the inspection reports are being uploaded on the e-Shikshakosh portal.
During inspections, particular attention is being paid to the schools’ infrastructure, including the availability of blackboards, dusters, educational equipment, toilets, drinking water, classrooms, laboratories, ICT labs, boundary walls, and electricity. The condition of playgrounds, sports equipment, internet access, and school beautification are also being assessed. Inspectors are checking whether students have school uniforms and books, whether homework is being assigned, and whether students are being evaluated on a weekly, monthly, quarterly, half-yearly, and annual basis. Class-wise enrolment and actual attendance are also being scrutinised.
Additionally, inspectors are verifying whether eggs and fruits are being provided in the mid-day meal and if the prescribed menu is being followed. The posting and attendance of headmasters and teachers, as well as the adherence to hour-wise and subject-wise teaching schedules, are also under review. There is a particular focus on ensuring that unenrolled and dropout children are being brought back to school.
