The Bihar cabinet, under the leadership of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, announced on Tuesday that approximately 3.5 lakh contractual teachers in state-run schools will now be designated as government employees. This significant decision was made during the cabinet meeting, where Chief Minister Nitish Kumar presided.
According to S Siddharth, the additional chief secretary (cabinet secretariat), the state government’s notification will formally recognize these contractual teachers as ‘exclusive teachers’ with government employee status. The proposal, originating from the education department, received approval during the cabinet meeting.
Under the newly established “Bihar School Exclusive Teachers Rules, 2023,” contractual teachers will be officially considered government employees. However, to maintain this status, they will be required to successfully pass competency exams, as outlined by Siddharth in a statement to the press.
“These ‘exclusive teachers’ will need to clear competency exams to uphold their status as government employees,” he emphasized.
The substantial workforce of 3.5 lakh contractual teachers in the state operates within government-managed schools, overseen by local bodies such as zila parishad, panchayat samiti, gram panchayat, nagar parishad, and nagar panchayats, Siddharth added.
“This landmark decision by the state government addresses the longstanding demand of contractual teachers seeking government employee status,” stated the additional chief secretary.
Elaborating on the process, he explained, “The government will determine the agency responsible for conducting the test and will make decisions regarding the status of those unable to pass. Each contractual teacher will be afforded three opportunities to successfully clear the exam.”
The additional chief secretary emphasized, “Contractual teachers employed by local bodies, falling under the jurisdiction of the Local Bodies Teachers Rules 2020, will be designated as ‘exclusive teachers’ upon successful completion of the competency test.”
While the ‘exclusive teachers’ will maintain their current salary levels, the ACS clarified, “Salary revisions will be implemented following guidelines established by the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) only after successfully clearing the competency tests.”
Under the newly approved regulation, contractual teachers will now be eligible for promotion every eight years, marking a significant development in their professional trajectory.
In a separate decision, the cabinet also gave its approval to a new ‘tourism policy.’
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