Patna University teachers have taken exception to the comment of education minister Ashok Choudhary condemning the functioning of colleges affiliated to it.

At a workshop to discuss on setting up of higher education examination board on Sunday, Ashok said: "Students at state universities, including Patna University, have no other option but opting for coaching classes for studies as the same was not being conducted in colleges."

However, Patna University pro-vice-chancellor R.K. Verma said: "The situation is not the same in Patna University as we stick to attendance and students having less than 75 per cent attendance are not allowed to sit in examination."

Patna University Teachers Association general secretary Anil Kumar said: "The minister's statement is not true as in context with Patna University, 75 per cent attendance is mandatory."

Patna College former principal N.K. Choudhary said: "The minister's statement is not true in context with Patna University but the system exists at other colleges mainly in rural areas."

The economics teacher, questioning the government stand, said who is responsible for creating such a situation. "The colleges and universities are suffering from acute shortage of teachers as the state government in the past one decade has failed to appoint even a single teacher while on the other hand teachers are retiring every other day," he added.

The former principal's statement assumes importance as the last teachers' appointment was done in 2003. In 2014, Bihar Public Service Commission issued advertisement for appointment of around 3,400 teachers at nine state universities but even after passing of nearly two years, the government is yet to complete the process.

Anuj Kumar, a BSc student at Patna Science College, said: "I took admission at Patna Science College after my intermediate studies. I tried for IIT-JEE but could not crack the test. I am focused in my graduation studies."

At the workshop held at Nalanda Open University on the issue of constitution of higher education examination board, Ashok stressed on regularity of the academic session, timely exams, fair evaluation and timely result.

In the session, governor Ram Nath Kovind said all universities would have same academic calendar, same exam dates and the results will be published on time.