Launch of 'Bihar Vidya Saathi' app
Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary on Monday launched the 'Bihar Vidya Saathi' app via video conferencing, according to a press release. The app is a 24X7, 1:1 interactive platform designed for 700 Saraswati Vidya Niketan Model Schools across 38 districts.
Speaking at the launch, the Chief Minister described it as a "significant initiative towards providing quality education and proper guidance to children." He said the initiative would "directly benefit approximately 3 lakh students." Through the app, students will have access to 24X7 live teachers for Classes 9 to 12, and can select teachers according to their needs and preferences. Choudhary added that 75,000 teachers will provide personalised academic support.
Digital study material will be available for all subjects for Classes 9 and 10, and for Science stream students of Classes 11 and 12, including materials for Bihar Board, JEE, and NEET preparation. The Chief Minister also said that modern AI tools will be used to improve students' concept learning, and that the system would be expanded to other schools in the state in the future.
During the launch, a short film on the app was screened, and students from Government Girls Higher Secondary School, Shastri Nagar gave a live demonstration. Choudhary advised students to take full advantage of the initiative, calling it a "great start" and urging them to "resolve their curiosities, and strive to take their lives to new heights through knowledge and skills."
Expansion of free JEE and NEET coaching
Separately, the Bihar School Examination Board (BSEB) has expanded its free online coaching for JEE and NEET preparation for students of Classes 11 and 12. According to reports, free coaching is being extended to 155 selected Saraswati Vidya Niketan Model Plus-2 schools across Bihar. The initiative aims to help students prepare for major entrance examinations without depending entirely on private coaching.
BSEB is also rolling out an interactive learning platform, called Vidya Saathi, for students of Classes 9 to 12 across around 700 model schools. The platform will provide free access to teachers for clearing doubts and understanding difficult concepts, along with digital study material including PDFs. The board has directed district education officials to coordinate with school principals to expedite the process of connecting the 700 model schools to the platform.
The coaching programme has been expanded in phases. Evening coaching had earlier begun at selected schools in Patna, and online coaching has been extended to additional model schools. Students are being provided subject-specific video lessons prepared by teachers in line with the JEE and NEET syllabi.
BSEB is also running residential JEE and NEET coaching at Patna Collegiate School, Dariyapur, and Bankipore Girls Higher Secondary School, Golghar, while free non-residential coaching is offered at centres in Patna, Gaya, Muzaffarpur, Darbhanga, Chhapra, Purnea, Saharsa, Munger and Bhagalpur.
BSEB Chairman Thiyagarajan SM said the free coaching programme is already benefiting students and is being conducted by experienced teachers. The board is also planning to establish a modern studio at its headquarters to facilitate live classes.
The dual initiatives represent a coordinated push by the state government and the board to widen access to quality education and competitive exam preparation for government-school students.