Jharkhand's School Education and Literacy minister, Jagarnath Mahto, on Monday applied for admission in an inter college to complete his education in a move aimed at putting “scornful remarks” over his academic qualification to rest.

Mahto, a Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) MLA, allegedly found himself in the crosshairs of some opposition leaders after he was sworn in as the education minister of Jharkhand earlier this year. Mahto, a son of the soil, was class 10 pass then, and many opposition leaders termed him incompetent in taking up the responsibility due to his poor academic achievements.

“I had vowed to complete my education, on the day itself when I took oath as education minister and people taunted on me saying 'metric pass'. It’s a reply to all of them who at several occasions challenge my decision taunting my educational qualification. Now I will study and also elevate the standard of education in my state,” said Mahto to The Telegraph Online after taking admission in Devi Mahto Memorial Inter College in Nawadih.

Mahto said that he would pursue class 11 and 12 in humanities, and also go for graduation in political science after successfully passing class 12. “I have been in active politics for years now. I think studying political science will help me understand politics better, and also keep me interested in academics,” he said.

The 54-year-old completed class 10 under Bihar School Examination Board in 1995 from Nehru High School in Telo, which was very far from his house in Alargo under Chandrapura Block. He did not pursue any further studies.

"I had passed with second division marks. I dropped my education as I got involved in Jharkhand Andolan (a movement demanding separate state),” said the education minister.

Mahto said that his aim was not only to study, but also impart quality education to students in Jharkhand. Devi Mahto Inter College, where Mahto is set to take admission, is also run by the minister himself. “Hum sirf padhenge hi nahi, padhayenge bhi (I will not only study, but also teach),” he said in affirmation.

When asked why he chose Monday to take admission, Mahto said “Today is very good for me and my party JMM as today is the birthday of our chief minister Hemant Soren.”

Mahto is a two-time MLA from Dumri, which falls in Giridih Lok Sabha constituency. As education minister, Mahto recently took a decision of waiving all forms of additional school fees in private schools other than tuition fee in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. He also directed all private schools not to sack any teaching or non-teaching staff during the lockdown period.