TEACHERS AND STAFF ON MASS LEAVE TO PROTEST NEW UNIVESITY LAW

TEACHERS AND STAFF ON MASS LEAVE TO PROTEST NEW UNIVESITY LAW

11-AUG-ENG 1

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

PATNA-----------------------Differences have surfaced openly between the government led by CM Samrat Chaudhary and the teachers and staff of universities and colleges regarding proposed changes to Bihar's higher education system. The state government is preparing to introduce the new 'Bihar State University Act-2026' to replace university laws that have been in place for approximately 50 years. In opposition to this proposal, teachers and non-teaching staff from Bihar's universities and government degree colleges are staging a protest today (Monday) by taking mass leave. The 'Bihar State University and College Teachers and Non-Teaching Staff Joint Struggle Front' (Sanyukt Sangharsh Morcha) has called for this mass leave and protest.

The organization claims that over 12,000 teachers and staff members associated with the state's 481 government degree colleges will participate in this movement. Protests will be held at various university headquarters to register objections to the proposed law. The Joint Struggle Front stated that the agitation by teacher and staff organizations against the new university law has been ongoing for some time. A phased protest was conducted from August 5 to August 8, during which teachers wore black badges to register their opposition to the government's proposal. Teachers from Patna University had also previously staged a protest by taking mass leave for four days. Teacher organizations had also announced a foot march from the university headquarters to Lok Bhawan; however, police in Patna stopped the protesters near Patna College.

If the government led by CM Samrat Chaudhary implements the 'Bihar State University Act-2026', the existing 'Bihar State University Act-1976' and 'Patna University Act-1976' will be repealed. The plan is to manage the state's higher education system under this new law. The new system proposes a restructuring of the administrative operations of universities and colleges. The government's role is likely to expand in several key matters concerning colleges.

Under the new system, the government will make decisions regarding the appointment, transfer, and posting of teachers in degree colleges. There is also a proposal to deploy government officials to oversee the administrative functioning of these colleges. This will increase the involvement of the government machinery in the day-to-day administrative operations of the colleges; currently, these powers rest with the Raj Bhavan.

The proposed legislation is expected to cover the state's 481 government degree colleges. Additionally, the administrative framework for new degree colleges being established across 211 blocks may also be determined under this new law. The government aims to bring uniformity to the operation and administration of these colleges.

The new law also proposes changes regarding authority over undergraduate and postgraduate education. Steps are being discussed to standardize curricula and the educational system across universities and colleges in the state. Meanwhile, there is a proposal to place special emphasis on postgraduate education and research within the universities' mandate. The Governor's role and powers as Chancellor will be clarified in the final draft of the new bill.

Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary has highlighted the need for a new higher education law to reform the state's higher education system. The government maintains that this new system is essential to improve university administration, enhance the quality of education, and curb the migration of students from Bihar to other states. At the same time, teacher and employee associations are demanding detailed discussions with the government regarding the proposed changes. They argue that the new law should not be implemented without addressing the concerns of teachers and staff. Consequently, the conflict between the government and teacher associations over the new university law could intensify in the coming days.