PATNA, Sept. 14 -- Chief minister Samrat Choudhary on Sunday said that Bihar would need to draw students to classrooms for creating the right ambience to transform higher education and to achieve that, the state government would provide resources for training the selected teachers in the best institutions of the world. He was speaking at the orientation programme for newly appointed 2451 contractual assistant professor at the 211 newly set up degree colleges in the uncovered blocks of the state. "Appointing such a large number of assistant professors from different parts of the country in one stroke for 211 new degree colleges in the far flung areas is one of the big achievements of the government. But the real challenge will be to impart quality education to them. Without students reaching colleges and attending classes, nothing will succeed," he added, in an apparent reference to growing disconnect between students and colleges. The CM said that the big responsibility would on the newly appointed teachers, who have come from Delhi and other developed cities to teach in remote places, to sow the seeds of Bihar's progress by adopting innovation and live classes, which would help the students compete with the best. "To keep pace with Prime Minister's vision of a developed India, we have to lift our standard. I will like selected teachers to be sent to Oxford, Australia and other places known for quality higher education so that they could get acquainted with the modern requirements," he added. He said that Bihar faced the challenge of arresting the dropout rate and unbridled migration of around 8-10-lakh students to all parts of the country - be it for higher education or coaching. "The new colleges will provide all facilities to students in their blocks and the necessary infrastructure will be created with time, but the teachers' responsibility has begun. At present, they will provide education in six subjects only, but gradually it will be expanded. We have also started 700 Saraswati Vidya Niketans to provide the best facility at the school level," he added. The CM said that soon after taking oath for the third time in 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had inaugurated the campus of Nalanda University and given a target for reviving Vikramshila University. "Along with the 211 new colleges, the government has also provided land for the proposed Vikraamshila University," he added. Referring to Bihar's challenges, he said that large parts of the state were facing drought like situation despite flooding from all sides, be it Nepal, UP or other states. "Bihar spends 21% of its budget on education. Before state's bifurcation, 87% of the state's revenue came from Jharkhand side. But due to relentless efforts of Nitish Kumar and Sushil Modi, the budget size of Bihar has reached more than double the size of Jharkhand," he added. Higher Education Minister Sanjay Singh Tiger said that appointment of the newly appointed assistant professors might be contractual, but their responsibility would be permanent, as it would leave an indelible impact on the lives of the students and contribute to future building. "Set an example for the society and be a role model for the students. Teachers are the soul. Govt can create infrastructure, provide resources, but ultimately everything boils down to the teachers," he added. Dipak Kumar Singh, Additional Chief Secretary to the Governor, said that apart from 272 Constituent Colleges, starting another 211 degree colleges in a short span of time would make higher education accessible to students across the state....