Bihar Education Minister Mithilesh Tiwari has directed state officials to prepare for the introduction of compulsory computer education for students of Class 6 and above starting from the next academic session, marking a significant shift in the state's school curriculum. The directive was issued during a review meeting at Vikas Bhawan in Patna on Friday, 23 October 2026.

Teacher Training to Come First

Before the rollout reaches classrooms, teachers will undergo computer training at the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) to ensure they are equipped to deliver the new subject effectively. The structured preparation-before-deployment approach signals an attempt to avoid the pitfall of earlier digital education drives, where hardware was installed but teachers lacked the skills to use it.

Smart Classrooms, Boundary Walls, and Model Schools

Tiwari directed officials to establish smart classrooms in all 700 Saraswati Vidya Niketans — designated as model schools — by 31 March. He also ordered the construction of boundary walls at model schools that currently lack them, and stressed the timely and effective utilisation of funds received from the Centre. The minister reviewed ongoing projects under the PM-SHRI scheme and asked officials to expedite the construction of proposed educational buildings across various districts.

Gurukulam Vidyapeeths and Sanskrit School Revival

In a parallel push to preserve traditional education, the minister directed officials to prepare a blueprint for establishing Gurukulam Vidyapeeths in every division of Bihar. Work on this initiative has already begun in Buxar, where the proposed first Gurukulam is estimated to cost approximately ₹70 crore. Tiwari also announced plans to revive defunct government-run Sanskrit schools, with renovation work in the first phase to be undertaken at institutions that already own their land. He further indicated that the office of the Madrasa Board would soon be relocated to a new building, in line with the arrangement already made for the Sanskrit Education Board.

Bihar Diwas and Cultural Events

The review meeting also covered plans for Bihar Diwas celebrations this year. Tiwari said large-scale programmes would be organised, with the main event scheduled at Bapu Sabhagar in Patna. Poet Dr Kumar Vishwas has been invited to participate in the celebrations.

Officials Present at the Meeting

Senior officials attending the meeting included Special Secretary Dharmendra Kumar, Bihar Education Project State Project Director Navdeep Shukla, Director of Secondary Education Nitin Kumar Singh, Textbook Corporation Director Yatendra Kumar Pal, Director of Primary Education Kumar Nishant Vivek, and Director of Administration Vijay Kumar Pandey, along with other departmental officials. The minister instructed the department's budget officer to draw up detailed plans for additional institutions and incorporate as many new schemes as possible in the upcoming budget.

With teacher training, smart classroom deadlines, and curriculum mandates now in motion, the effectiveness of Bihar's digital education push will hinge on whether implementation keeps pace with the ambition on display at Vikas Bhawan.