Inquiry into incidents of fake admissions in schools

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Friday ordered an inquiry into incidents of fake admissions in schools for availing benefits such as free uniform, cycle, mid-day meal and scholarship.

Education department officials said that till date 336,000 fake admissions had come to light in less than a dozen districts.

The principal secretary in the education department, Anjani Kumar Singh, said the fake admissions were exposed following a special drive.

"It was shocking to find a student's name in more than one or two schools. Even attendance figure were less than the number of students in admission registers," he said.

Singh said that if a student took government doles from two schools, action would be taken against his or her parents.

The department has decided to withhold the salary of a dozen teachers in Sasaram.

"Admission of fake students has been cancelled and action initiated against teachers suspected to be involved in the racket," Omprash Singh, a district education official, said.

In Banka, around 70,000 fake admissions were reported, followed by about 57,000 in West Champaran, 53,000 in Sitamarhi, 50,000 in Rohtas, 34,000 in Katihar, 33,000 in Muzaffarpur, 32,000 in Jamui, 4,000 in Darbhanga and some 3,000 in Kaimur.

The government has cancelled all fake admissions in these districts.

In a bid to woo more students from poor families to schools, the government is giving out bicycles to those above Class 9.

Human Resource Development Minister P.K. Sahi says now cycles and uniforms will be given after six month attendance record.