By Alok Mohit
PATNA: In a bid to address the housing challenges faced by newly appointed teachers in rural areas, the Bihar government’s education department has issued an expression of interest (EoI), inviting property owners to provide available housing facilities in various districts, subdivisions and villages to facilitate their placement in schools in remote areas.
This initiative of the education department aims to improve the living conditions of teachers and reduce the financial burden of renting accommodation, ensuring they can serve effectively in schools in remote areas across the state.
The education department had recently appointed over one lakh teachers, who were selected through the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC). Many of these teachers are now being posted to schools in remote areas. However, the lack of suitable housing near these schools has necessitated some teachers to rent accommodation in district headquarters, incurring additional expenses and time on commuting.
Approximately four lakh teachers are already working in various schools located in remote areas of Bihar. It has been observed that due to a shortage of housing in these distant locations, many teachers are forced to rent accommodation in district headquarters, further increasing the government’s expenses. Notably, 80 per cent of the department’s annual budget, amounting to Rs 33,000 crore, is spent on teachers’ salaries, with an additional 8%, amounting to Rs 2500 crore, allocated for house rent allowance (HRA.
According to the EoI, the department is now exploring two models to address this housing issue in remote areas.
The first model invites property owners with available housing to submit proposals indicating the number of properties and their locations, which are immediately available for rent or lease. Additionally, real estate companies and other entities are being encouraged to construct multi-story buildings in district headquarters, subdivision headquarters, and block headquarters exclusively for teachers’ accommodation. These buildings will be developed real estate companies at their own expense and the education department will lease them on a long-term basis, with monthly rental payments.
Apart from these models, the education department is open to other suggestions that may help resolve the housing challenges for teachers.
According to the EoI, interested parties can submit their initial proposals on the official department website at https://state.bihar.gov.in/educationbihar until November 4, 2023.
Following this, the department will organise a meeting in Patna on November 8, 2023, where interested individuals and firms can participate and present their ideas and suggestions. During the meeting, participants can also clarify any questions or concerns they may have. Subsequently, the department will release a financial proposal invitation.
(Author Alok Mohit is former senior News Editor of Hindustan Times Patna and Chandigarh editions; can be contacted at mohit.alok19@gmail.com)
