Bihar Replaces 'Fail' with 'Eligible for Skill Training'

The Bihar government has introduced a new policy where students who do not clear the Bihar School Examination Board will no longer be marked as 'failed' on their marksheet. Instead, they will be labeled as 'eligible for skill training'. This move is seen as an attempt to reduce the stigma associated with failure.

The decision has been met with skepticism, with many drawing parallels to a similar law passed in the late 1960s by the Karpoori Thakur government. The law had declared students who failed in English as 'Pass without English', but this led to limited job opportunities for these students.

The Chief Minister of Bihar, Samrat Choudhury, seems to be taking a philosophical approach to failure, quoting Irish author Samuel Beckett's words: 'Ever tried. Ever failed. Try again. Fail again. Fail better.' However, this approach may not provide much comfort to the students who are struggling to clear their exams.

The government's 'Skill India programme' has also been criticized for its lack of effectiveness. The programme aims to provide skill training to students, but its impact has been limited so far.

The issue of education in Bihar is complex, with many students from humble backgrounds facing significant challenges. The current system of education places a strong emphasis on academic performance, which can lead to stress and anxiety among students.

Many experts believe that the solution to this problem lies in overhauling the education system to focus on curiosity and a sense of belonging, rather than just academic hyper-productivity. This would require a fundamental shift in the way schools and colleges approach education, moving away from a one-size-fits-all approach to a more holistic and inclusive model.

The intersection of markets and states in education is also a major challenge. Education has become closely tied to the politics of power, which can lead to decisions that prioritize political gain over the well-being of students.

Ultimately, the decision to replace 'fail' with 'eligible for skill training' may be seen as a short-term solution, but it does not address the deeper issues in the education system. Real change will require a more comprehensive and nuanced approach to education, one that prioritizes the needs and well-being of students above all else.

The Bihar government's move may be seen as a step in the right direction, but it is only the beginning of a long and complex journey to reform the education system. It remains to be seen whether this policy will have a positive impact on the students of Bihar, or if it will simply be a cosmetic change that does not address the underlying issues.