Bihar to launch evening classes in 10 colleges to expand higher education access

Patna: With a view to expanding students’ wider access to quality higher education from the next academic session, the state education department is making necessary arrangements for starting evening classes in 10 reputed colleges across the state.

The chancellor’s secretariat has already initiated consultations with experts on deciding the modalities for ensuring smooth conduct of evening classes.The govt’s initiative aims to expand access to quality education, support working professionals, increase students’ intake, and make better use of existing infrastructure.While six selected colleges are located in Patna, the remaining four are in other cities.

The colleges which will also serve as ‘night colleges’ include Patna Science College, B N College, Magadh Mahila College (under Patna University), A N College, College of Commerce, Arts and Science and J D Women’s College (under Patliputra University), M S College, Motihari, and L S College, Muzaffarpur (under B RABU), T N B College, Bhagalpur, (under TMBU) and C M College, Darbhanga (under LNMU).The main objectives of the govt move are:Better infrastructure utilisation: Making optimal use of existing campus facilities in evening hoursDecentralisation of education: Part of the broader ‘Saat Nischay-3’ programme aimed at bringing higher education closer to students and reducing the need to migrate outside the stateInstitutional upgrades: Elevating prestigious institutions into ‘Centres of Excellence’ to offer employment-oriented educationSupport for working professionals: Will allow individuals who are employed during the day to pursue degrees, diplomas, or skill-development courses in the eveningsIncreased intake capacity: More students can be accommodated as colleges will operate in dual shifts, reducing admission pressureThe increased workload in evening colleges will be primarily managed by enforcing a strict five-hour daily classroom mandate (averaging a 40-hour weekly workload) for existing teachers, transitioning to staggered faculty shifts, and recruiting part-time or guest teachers to cover staff shortages, said a senior official of the higher education department.