The government of Bihar has recently declared a new program to work towards providing more access to education among the underprivileged and marginalized population in the state. In this plan, poor families, girls of all categories and transgender students will have free admission to the Bihar Board of Open Schooling (BIBOS) to the Matriculation and Intermediate level. The program will also aim at eliminating barriers that are related to finances, and more students are expected to pursue their studies even when they are faced with financial challenges.
BIBOS is also based on the same model as the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS): students could enroll to study and graduate without attending regular classroom sessions. That is why it is such a flexible system under which learners can prepare and take exams at their own time. The state government aims to reduce the cost of education by exempting the enrollment and examination fees to enable students who would otherwise not have been able to attend school because of financial constraints, to access education.
The Education Department has already forwarded the proposal to the Public Finance Committee of the state, and after it is approved, it will be submitted to the cabinet so that it can be finally endorsed. Provided the cabinet approves it, the scheme to waive the fee will be in place instantly, and thousands of students in Bihar will enjoy the benefits. It is estimated that with this program, every student will save an average of 4,000 to 5,000 rupees of financial relief. To provide context, the normal enrolment fee of Matric students is between 1500 and 2200 rupees based on the category and exam fees for individual subjects are between 205 to 305 rupees for practical subjects or science subjects.
The government feels that the initiative will greatly enhance the participation of the disadvantaged groups in education and their integration into the mainstream education system. The economic burden on families will be lowered, and more students will be able to obtain academic qualifications and open opportunities to future careers and livelihoods. The program also highlights how the state is determined to be socially inclusive and equal, especially to transgender people who tend to be deprived of the formal education system due to the barriers placed in the system.
The officials have reiterated that the scheme is a larger initiative towards making sure that no child in Bihar is disadvantaged based on economic strife or lack of social acceptance. As education has been a central pillar in social and economic growth, the free admission program should have a long-term effect in enhancing literacy levels, empowering poor communities, and creating an inclusive society where all children can learn and achieve their potential.
