The Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) had previously announced plans to conduct the Teacher Recruitment Examination (TRE 4) in December. However, significant delays have been observed, particularly in gathering the necessary information regarding vacant teacher positions in schools. Despite the government’s intentions to hold the exam by the end of the year, the lack of data on vacancies has created uncertainty, leading to further delays in the recruitment process.

Teacher Vacancy Information Still Pending from Many Districts

As of now, the education department has only received vacancy details from 15 out of the 38 districts in Bihar. These districts include prominent ones like Rohtas, Bhojpur, Aurangabad, Patna, Muzaffarpur, Bhagalpur, and Gaya. However, there is still no update from 23 other districts. The absence of this crucial data is hindering the process of finalizing the date for the TRE 4 exam. Bihar’s education department had initially planned for the exam to take place in December, but the lack of clarity on the number of vacancies has left the exam schedule uncertain.

Why the Delay in Providing Vacancy Information?

The delay in receiving vacancy data is mainly attributed to the fact that several districts have not yet submitted information on teacher vacancies for classes 1 to 12. The education department had asked all districts to send their vacancy details, but only 15 districts have complied so far. The education department has also been using video conferencing and official correspondence to prompt districts to send the required data.

The delay has raised concerns among education officials, as the state is seeking vacancy details for approximately 78,000 teacher positions across primary and secondary schools. The vacancies are expected to be filled after the roster clearance and once all districts submit their vacancy details to the BPSC.

Action Taken by Education Department Officials

In response to the delays, Dr. B. Rajendra, the Additional Chief Secretary of the Education Department, recently issued strict warnings to the district officials who failed to submit the required vacancy information. Despite these instructions, many districts have still not sent the data. Earlier, in September, the then-Education Minister had announced that the vacancy details would be sent to the BPSC by the end of the month. At that time, it was also stated that TRE 4 would be held by December.

The education department had initially estimated that 26,000 vacancies would be filled through the TRE 4 exam, and preparations were being made for the examination to be held by the end of December. The BPSC is expected to receive the final list of vacancies once all the necessary information is gathered from the districts.

Delayed STET and Its Impact on TRE 4 Examination

Previously, the government had stated that the Secondary Teacher Eligibility Test (STET) for all subjects would be held before November 16, and the results would be announced soon after. However, the STET for various subjects is still in progress. According to education department officials, the number of vacancies expected to be reported for teachers in classes 1 to 12 could reach around one lakh.

The teacher recruitment process is expected to take place in two phases, with the first phase focusing on filling vacancies for primary and secondary schools. With the significant delays in gathering vacancy details and the ongoing STET, the TRE 4 exam is now expected to be delayed further.

Teacher Recruitment in Two Phases

Over the past two years, under the BPSC’s recommendation, a total of 268,548 teachers have been recruited in three phases. In the first phase, 102,871 teachers were appointed, followed by 69,500 in the second phase. These recruitments were part of the ongoing effort to address the growing need for qualified teachers in Bihar’s schools.

As for the upcoming TRE 4, it is expected to be conducted in two phases, with the first phase focusing on the initial teacher appointments. The total number of vacancies is anticipated to increase as more districts report their vacant positions.

Introduction of Domicile Rules for Teacher Recruitment

For the first time, the TRE 4 will implement domicile-based reservations for the recruitment of teachers. According to the new guidelines, approximately 85% of the seats will be reserved for candidates who are residents of Bihar. The remaining 15% will be open to candidates from other states, as well as those from Bihar whose matriculation or intermediate degrees are from other states. This policy is expected to provide more opportunities for Bihar’s youth to secure teaching positions in their home state.

Additionally, the new recruitment process will include reservations for women candidates from Bihar. A 50% reservation will be available for women applying for teacher positions in classes 1 to 5, while women from other categories will be eligible for 35% reservation. This initiative aims to increase female representation in the teaching profession.

Impact of the Delay on Teacher Appointments

The delay in finalizing the vacancies for the TRE 4 exam has had a significant impact on the teacher recruitment process. Many candidates who have been eagerly awaiting the examination are concerned about the uncertainty surrounding the exam date. The recruitment process, which was initially expected to be completed by December, now seems unlikely to take place as scheduled.

With the STET still ongoing and districts failing to provide the required vacancy information, it is expected that the TRE 4 exam will be delayed further. However, officials have assured that once all the vacancy details are gathered and the roster clearance process is completed, the examination will be held.

The delay in the TRE 4 exam and teacher recruitment process in Bihar highlights the challenges in gathering accurate vacancy information and coordinating the recruitment process across districts. With the new domicile rules and reservations for women candidates, the recruitment process aims to create more opportunities for Bihar’s youth and women in the education sector. However, the ongoing delays are causing frustration among candidates, and it remains to be seen when the TRE 4 exam will finally take place.

As Bihar continues to address its teacher shortage, it is crucial for the education department and district officials to expedite the process of submitting vacancy details. Only once the necessary data is received and roster clearance is completed will the TRE 4 exam be scheduled. In the meantime, candidates must stay updated with the latest announcements from the BPSC and education department.