As Bihar gets over 200 new colleges, what’s next for its teachers? Training at Oxford

On Sunday, Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary inaugurated 211 newly established colleges across the state, many of which will be sending their professors to globally renowned universities like Oxford for advanced training. Chaudhary announced that selected professors and faculty members could soon be sent to world-class institutions for orientation courses.

The state government aims to send 100 teachers out of its 1,000-odd degree colleges, including the newly opened ones, for interactions at prestigious universities such as Oxford and Harvard. This initiative is part of Bihar's broader plan to enhance higher education and improve teacher confidence. Sanjay Singh Tiger, the Bihar higher education minister, confirmed that a detailed plan and selection process will soon follow.

This development marks a significant milestone in Bihar's education sector, as the state has become the first to open that many colleges simultaneously. The 211 colleges have been strategically set up in block towns without prior degree colleges, aiming to bring higher education closer to rural students, particularly young women, by eliminating the need for long-distance travel.

Bihar's total number of state-recognized degree colleges has now risen to over 1,000, up from 800. The government is allocating 21.7% of its budget (Rs 68,216 crore) to education in the current fiscal year, with a focus on higher education, smart classes, AI integration, and international exposure for both teachers and students.

The move has been welcomed by Bihar's academic community, who believe it will bring modern pedagogy, research techniques, and global standards back to local classrooms.