Here is a good news for the people of Seemanchal especially those students who wish to do Diploma in Engineering (Polytechnic) after passing Matriculation (Class X). The All India Council for Technical Education) has given recognition to Katihar based Polytechnic College. As per AICTE declaration the admission for Diploma in Engineering will start from next session. The Katihar Polytechnic offer fours streams namely, Mechanical, Civil, Electrical and Electronics. There are 60 intake for each stream that altogether makes 240 intake per session.
Factfile of Engineering Colleges in Bihar
Total No of Govt Engineering colleges: 7
Total No of Polytechnics: 14
Govt’s Plan: Opening Engineering colleges in all subdivisions
Faculty Issue: Massive staff crunch in all engineering colleges
Alternate Plan of Govt: Appointments on contract basis
Salary: Hiked from Rs. 15,000 per month to 25, 000
Along with Katihar the engineering college at Chapra also got recognition from AICTE. The Chapra Polytechnic College can accommodate 60 students each in four streams such as Civil, Electrical & Electronics, Mechanical and Computer Science.
As of now there are 14 polytechnic institutions in the state of Bihar. During NDA – I (2005-2010) the government of Bihar led by Nitish Kumar four engineering colleges were opened at Darbhanga, Gaya, Motihari and Chandi, while two colleges at Muzaffarpur and Bhagalpur were already functional. According to sources the government is planning to open engineering college in Sitamarhi and Madhepura. In fact, the government is planning to open more than 100 polytechnics including some under public private partnership (PPP).
Now coming to the important issue, only opening the engineering colleges is not enough. The biggest problem for the engineering colleges is turning out to be shortage of qualified faculty members with existing institutions struggling with part-time faculty members. Although the Bihar Government had sent its requisition for qualified teachers for appointment by the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) about two years ago, but these are yet to be get attention.
