HONOUR FOR TEACHER :Education minister PK Shahi felicitates retired Patna University teacher Bharti S Kumar at the Patna College’s annual function on Thursday. Picture by Nagendra Kumar Singh

Education minister P.K. Shahi on Thursday blamed the previous governments and lack of co-operation from the Union government for the poor condition of higher education in Bihar.

The minister, who was speaking at the 152nd foundation day function of Patna College, said: “Since Independence, successive state governments have failed to bring changes in higher education. Neither colleges nor universities were opened by the previous state governments.”

Social trusts opened most schools and colleges after Independence and these were later taken over by the government, Shahi said.

The minister, while highlighting the steps taken by the Nitish Kumar government in improving higher education, regretted that despite writing over 17-18 letters to University Grants Commission, the state government has not received funds from the regulatory body.

On its 152nd birthday, the college administration had organised a function at the seminar hall in which large number of alumni, teachers and university officials were present.

Highlighting the steps being taken by the government to bring changes in the higher education sector, Shahi said: “Apart from constitution of a search committee for selection of vice-chancellors and teachers’ recruitment through Bihar Public Service Commission, the education department will provide assistance in the infrastructure development of the colleges. In the last fiscal, the Patna College received Rs 2 crore. The college would get Rs 1 crore more for renovation of Minto and Jackson hostels.”

During the foundation day celebrations, Shahi had to face the ire of students of All India Students’ Federation (AISF). Large number of AISF members had assembled on the college campus protesting the Wednesday incident where police beat up dozens of AISF members. Shouting slogans against Shahi, the AISF members were demanding action against police personnel who were involved in the incident.

Highlighting the glorious past of the institution, college principal RBP Singh said that Patna College needs no introduction because of its illustrious alumni.

However, he regretted the recent incidents of clash between two groups of students bringing bad name to the institution.