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Bihar Education Department Implements Competency Exam Requirement for Contractual Teachers

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News on Education 2 ArdorComm Media Group Bihar Education Department Implements Competency Exam Requirement for Contractual Teachers

The Bihar Education Department has introduced a new mandate, necessitating contractual teachers to pass a competency examination to ensure they meet specified standards. Contractual teachers must successfully complete the exam within three attempts, with failure leading to termination. The initiative aims to enhance the quality of education delivery in Bihar and emphasizes the importance of meeting competency standards for teacher retention. K.K. Pathak, the Additional Chief Secretary of the Education Department, announced the competency exam requirement in an official notice on Saturday. Pathak, also the Chairman of the competency examination committee, oversees the process, bringing comprehensive representation and expertise. In a significant decision on December 26, 2023, the cabinet conferred government employee status on around 3.5 lakh contractual teachers, formalizing their employment status. The cabinet emphasized the need for contractual teachers to pass the competency exam to attain state government employee status. Between February 1 and February 15, contractual teachers must complete the application process for the competency examination. Admit cards will be issued on February 16, facilitating their participation in the computer-based test with 150 multiple-choice questions, aligned with the Bihar Public Service Commission’s Teachers’ Recruitment Exam syllabus. Pass percentages for various categories are specified: 40% for general category, 36.5% for backward classes, 34% for backward classes (annexure 1), and 32% for scheduled castes, scheduled tribes, women, and candidates with disabilities. Contractual teachers have the opportunity to transition to state government employees by submitting examination forms between February 1 and February 15, 2024. The examination is scheduled from February 26 to March 13, 2024, allowing teachers to formalize their status and advance their careers within the state government.

British Columbia Takes Bold Steps to Curb Exploitation of Foreign Students

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News on Education ArdorComm Media Group British Columbia Takes Bold Steps to Curb Exploitation of Foreign Students

In a bid to eliminate exploitative practices and ensure the well-being of international students, the province of British Columbia in Canada has announced stringent measures to crack down on misuse within the international student system. Following Ontario’s lead, British Columbia aims to protect students and strengthen the quality of post-secondary education by implementing new safeguards. Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills Minister Selina Robinson emphasized the province’s commitment to taking action against bad actors preying on international students. The announced measures include a two-year pause on approvals for new post-secondary institutions seeking to enroll international students. Additionally, British Columbia will conduct more frequent inspections of private post-secondary institutions to ensure compliance with quality standards and adequate support for students. Private degree programs will face higher standards for approval, encompassing criteria such as degree quality, demonstrated labor-market need for graduates, and sufficient resources and student support. The Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills underscored the province’s dedication to eliminating exploitative practices and enhancing the overall quality of education. During a press conference in Surrey, Minister Selina Robinson stated, “International students come here for a good education, but too many are being exploited or taken advantage of.” The new requirements aim to prevent institutions from taking advantage of international students and will restrict the ability of private institutions to host international students if they fail to meet provincial standards for quality education. This announcement follows similar measures undertaken by the province of Ontario to safeguard the integrity of its post-secondary education system. Ontario’s Minister of Colleges and Universities, Jill Dunlop, introduced measures such as placing a moratorium on new partnerships between public and private colleges to address potential misuse of credentials. With over half a million international students holding study permits in Canada at the end of 2023, British Columbia and Ontario host significant numbers. The new measures underscore Canada’s commitment to protecting the interests and well-being of international students, particularly addressing concerns related to exploitation and substandard education.