The state government on Wednesday indicated that it was open to initiating the process of derecognizing 17 private medical and dental colleges found to have violated norms during the admission process in 2012-13.
Even as the state government has paved the way for the opening of private universities in Bihar, the higher education scenario is unlikely to change much. A vast majority of the state's youth would continue to receive their higher education in the existing colleges and universities which depend solely on government grants. And, the state exchequer would have to cough up big grants to these government-funded institutions.
As many as 150 students of three private colleges, studying bachelor of dental studies (BDS), knocked the doors of Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya ( DAVV), blaming the authorities for poor results and assessment in internal examination here recently.
Uncertainty continues over the method of admission for MBBS and BDS courses in private medical colleges as they have advertised to conduct their own entrance tests. Things will depend on the Supreme Court verdict on whether the colleges will draw students from National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test (NEET) or from their own entrance exam.
Among those seeking their help are private universities such as Amity University and NIIT University, school chains such as Indus World school, and education solution companies. The education sector has hitherto relied on word-of-mouth publicity to hire people.
The private university Act was enacted in 2007 to reduce the burden on state universities, but only 11 private universities could start ever since. The outcome is rising number of students continue to put a strain on government universities.
Bihar State Private University Bill 2013 was passed on Tuesday by voice vote in the state assembly, clearing the deck for setting up of private universities and related institutions of higher learning in the state.
Some student organisations and academics may oppose the setting up of as many as 17 new private universities in the State, but a few former Vice-Chancellors (VCs) have pledged their support for their establishment.
Even before the SSC examination results are out the corporate Intermediate colleges have already commenced classes for the first year Intermediate students in the name of bridge course, flouting the rules of the Board of Intermediate Education.