In a major development, the Bihar government has eliminated the compulsory 75% attendance rule that previously restricted students from receiving benefits under the uniform and cycle schemes in government schools. This decision was announced by Education Minister Sunil Kumar in the Legislative Council, with approval from Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and the state cabinet.
Under the previous policy, only those students who attended school regularly could get financial assistance. But this new policy will allow all government school students enrolled—an estimated 1.8 crore per year—to get these benefits, regardless of their attendance.
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Direct Fund Transfers for Scheme Benefits
In an effort to make the disbursement of financial aid more streamlined, the Bihar government will henceforth directly transfer money to students’ bank accounts under the cycle and uniform schemes. The process is to be completed by April 1, as per the media reports.
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Revised Financial Support Breakdown:
Uniform Scheme:
– Classes 1 & 2: Rs 600 per student
– Classes 3 to 5: Rs 700 per student
– Classes 6 to 8: Rs 1,000 per student
– Class 9 to 12: Rs 1,500 per student
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Cycle Scheme:
– Class 9 students: Rs 3,000
Along with the policy reform, the state government is giving a high priority to the upgradation of school infrastructure. During the next 2025-26 financial year, 29,000 state-run schools will be provided with computers. Furthermore, land has been allocated for the establishment of 12 new Kendriya Vidyalayas to provide wider access to quality education in the state.
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar noted that the investment in education of Bihar has significantly increased. Education budget of the state, that was Rs 4,400 crore in the year 2005, currently stands over Rs 60,000 crore. For higher education, a grant of Rs 5,885 crore has been provided, paving the way to recruit more than 2,000 assistant professors in universities and colleges.
