Dismal state of Education in Bihar- Over 65% students failed in 12th Exam in 2017

Only 35.25% students managed to pass Class 12 or intermediate examination conducted by the Bihar School Examination Board (BSEB) in 2017. That means just 4.37 lakh students out of 12.40 lakh students passed the examination. The pass percentage in Science stream this year in just 30.1%, it is 37.13% in Arts and it is 73.76% in commerce stream. Last year overall passing percentage was 62.19%. As per government sources, the lower success figures could be due to the strict measures adopted by the BSEB while conducting the exam and evaluating the answer sheets.I have seen examinations in Bihar and I can guaranty that at least 7-8% out of 30% of those who passes in science stream would have been passed because they got more marks in practices. Even today good marks in practice papers marks in Bihar depend on one of the two factors – either you are a brilliant student or your family is a known to the teachers. Even if you score 15% marks in theory paper, you can easily pass in that subject with 80-90% marks in practical paper. (Bihar board considers overall marks in a subject for passing which includes theory & practical). The normal expectation of a student in Bihar is that their family will help them in passing the examination. This is the case everywhere in Bihar except a few reputed colleges. Even after the examinations, parents are successful in getting the marks manipulated at the copy checking centers. This is the sorry phase of Bihar’s education.We all know the 2016’s topper scam. Let me revel you some more details. When I appeared for Bihar Board 12^th exam, one of my fried never came to examination center. His influential parents managed the exam. Someone else wrote his paper and he scored very good marks. One of my classmate appeared for the 12^th exam from both boards- CBSE and Bihar Board. There was a clash of dates, he went to give CBSE paper and his Bihar board paper was managed by his father. There are thousands of such stories all over Bihar. Historically a few topper seats have been fixed in Bihar examinations by money. It is good that government has stricter measures for conducting the examination. But what about the fair evaluation of examination papers. Majority of Intermediate teachers were on strike during the evaluation process. So we need to know that who all checked the examination papers.Government can’t shy away from taking responsibility of this disastrous result. The standard of teaching in Intermediate colleges is very low except top 20-30 colleges across the states. There are just 7 teachers/lecturers in a government college at my home town. That college offers intermediate courses, all major graduation courses and PG courses in 4 subjects. There are 4 departments without any teacher. The condition of private colleges are very bad. There are thousands of students who have never went to their intermediate college even once in 2 years. Many private college runs on paper only. Many students take admission in a private & government colleges and attends coaching for Engineering and medical. Such coaching classes have mushroomed in each & every corner of Bihar. And thousands of students from Bihar go Kota, Delhi to attend IIT, Medical coaching each year. Many of those students take admission in Bihar either in CBSE or Bihar Board schools/colleges. Even in many CBSE schools you will find many of dummy students on paper. They will take coaching in Kota, Patna or Delhi but on paper they would be studying in Bihar. Even this has happened in my family as well. Teachers in private Intermediate colleges receive grants from government based on number of passing students. So they have no incentive to take classes or teach properly. They are just focused on marks by mainly unfair means.It is time to time to overhaul whole education system in Bihar. Earlier, students used to go outside of state for higher studies and now it seems that students will have to go to another state even for 12^th examination. There is a joke going on whatsapp consoling the failed student that they have chance to become deputy CM or minister in Bihar. I hope that one day during my lifetime my native state will regain its old glory in field of education.