Patna: The Bihar government has announced a half-day schedule for all government schools on Saturdays, with classes now ending at 1 PM. The Education Department has issued an official notification implementing the revised school timings, responding to long-standing demands from teachers and public representatives.
The announcement was made by Education Minister Mithilesh Tiwari, who said the decision was taken after repeated requests from legislators, teachers’ organisations and educators. He added that the move aims to address teachers’ concerns while maintaining the government’s focus on delivering quality education.
Saturday School Timings Revised
Under the revised schedule, government schools across Bihar will operate from 9:30 AM to 1:00 PM every Saturday.
In secondary and higher secondary schools, academic classes will continue until 1 PM. Any pre-planned school activities will be conducted as scheduled before students are dispersed.
The Minister noted that Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary had recently indicated the possibility of introducing a Saturday half-day during a public event in Munger, paving the way for the decision.
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Teacher Transfer Process Underway
The Education Department has also initiated the voluntary transfer process for teachers serving in schools with surplus staff.
The online application portal remained open from July 30 to August 5, during which:
- 1,06,287 teachers were eligible to apply.
- 73,151 teachers submitted applications for voluntary transfer.
- 4,259 applications were received for mutual transfers.
The Minister said mutual transfers will be completed by September 14, while the portal for general transfers will open on September 17.
He also announced that a district cadre system has been introduced, under which teachers will be eligible for transfer once every five years.
Teachers’ Issues to Be Addressed by October 31
Mr. Tiwari said the government has set a target of October 31, 2026, to resolve all pending issues related to teachers.
He said addressing teachers’ concerns would allow them to focus fully on improving learning outcomes and supporting students more effectively.
The government is also working to strengthen government schools through reforms aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP), with the goal of improving the overall quality of education.
First-Ever Education Chintan Shivir
The Minister announced that Bihar will organise its first Education Chintan Shivir on August 9 and 10, bringing together officials from district and state headquarters.
The two-day workshop will focus on identifying challenges in the education system, discussing policy improvements and finding practical solutions. According to the Minister, greater transparency has already been introduced in the department, and efforts to improve educational standards will continue.
Why It Matters
The introduction of Saturday half-days, coupled with a large-scale teacher transfer exercise and administrative reforms, reflects Bihar’s broader effort to improve school governance and teacher welfare. The measures are expected to enhance classroom management, improve teacher satisfaction and support better learning outcomes in government schools.
