Over 3 lakh students join Bihar Vidya Sathi app, 73% from rural areas

More than 3 lakh students have joined the Bihar Vidya Sathi app within a month of its launch, with nearly 73% of users coming from rural areas, Bihar Education Minister Mithilesh Tiwari said.

Tiwari highlighted the growing reach of the app while reviewing the functioning of the Bihar School Examination Board (BSEB), examination arrangements and student-focused initiatives at a meeting held at the BSEB auditorium on Wednesday.

Education Department Secretary Rajiv Roshan, BSEB Chairman S Thyagarajan and other senior officials attended the meeting.

The review focused on making examinations more technology-driven, transparent and secure. Officials discussed measures to link students’ APAAR IDs with face ID and ensure effective implementation of the system at examination centres.

The meeting also stressed the need to declare results of computer-based tests (CBTs) on time. Officials examined technology-based examination systems that could streamline the process and help ensure timely results.

Vocational courses to be aligned with jobs

Tiwari directed officials to make vocational education more relevant to changing employment opportunities and technological requirements.

He called for greater awareness among students about vocational courses and suggested reviewing older trades and programmes whose relevance has declined. These could be replaced with modern, employment-oriented courses in areas such as animation design, artificial intelligence, mobile repair, robotics, electrical and electronics and other skill-based fields.

The minister also emphasised the importance of promoting Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) and industrial training as viable career pathways for students.

Focus on meritorious students and dropouts

The meeting discussed measures to encourage meritorious students and expand access to better educational opportunities. The board is considering sending letters to students who secure first division in Classes 10 and 12.

Officials also discussed ways to make admission to Simultala Residential School easier for talented students.

Reducing school dropouts was another key focus. The department is considering a strategy to reconnect students who discontinue their education between Classes 10 and 12 with further studies or skill-based training.

The possibility of providing financial incentives to support students in continuing their education was also discussed.

The measures are aimed at widening access to education while making Bihar’s examination system more technology-driven and its vocational programmes more closely linked to emerging career opportunities.