Tejashwi writes to Bihar CM on faculty shortage at 211 new degree colleges
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) National Working President and Leader of the Opposition in Bihar, Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, has written to Chief Minister Nitish Kumar urging immediate recruitment of Assistant Professors for 211 newly established degree colleges spread across various blocks of the state. The letter, sent on 26 September 2026, highlights a staffing vacuum at institutions primarily serving students from rural areas and economically weaker sections.
What Tejashwi Has Demanded
In his letter, Yadav called on the Bihar government to issue an official notification detailing the number of sanctioned posts without delay, so that the formal recruitment process can be set in motion. He specifically pressed for appointments in Urdu, Persian, Arabic, Maithili, and Sanskrit — disciplines he described as integral to Bihar's linguistic and cultural identity.
Yadav also demanded that interim teaching arrangements be put in place to ensure classes in these subjects are not disrupted while regular appointments are being processed. He insisted the entire recruitment drive must follow a transparent, time-bound procedure.
Why These Subjects Matter
The RJD leader argued that the absence of qualified faculty in Urdu, Persian, Arabic, Maithili, and Sanskrit goes beyond an employment shortfall — it directly affects students' right to instruction in their chosen disciplines and threatens the preservation of Bihar's rich linguistic traditions. Maithili, notably, holds constitutional recognition under the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution, making its academic infrastructure a matter of policy significance.
Yadav said that students from remote and low-income backgrounds, who make up the majority of enrolments at these block-level colleges, stand to lose the most if faculty positions remain vacant.
The Broader Context
The establishment of 211 degree colleges in previously underserved blocks represents a significant expansion of Bihar's higher education footprint. However, critics argue that infrastructure without adequate faculty renders the push largely symbolic. This is not the first time Bihar's new colleges have drawn attention for staffing gaps — similar concerns were raised when earlier batches of block-level colleges were opened without full teaching complements.
The RJD's letter comes ahead of the state's academic calendar crunch, adding political pressure on the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government to demonstrate operational progress on its education expansion agenda.
What the Government Must Do Next
Yadav has urged the Bihar government to complete the following steps within a stipulated timeframe: release the official notification for sanctioned Assistant Professor posts; begin the recruitment process immediately; and arrange temporary teaching cover in the interim. The ball is now in the government's court, and its response — or silence — will likely shape opposition messaging on education in the run-up to the next electoral cycle.