Bihar will send 100 newly appointed college teachers to Oxford University for one-month training, and the state government will pay the full cost. Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary announced this on September 13, 2026. It follows the opening of 211 new degree colleges and the hiring of 2,451 assistant professors.
The 100 teachers are not a separate group. They are a subset of the 2,451 assistant professors already appointed. So fewer than 5% of the new hires will get the foreign trip.
Who those 100 will be is not yet decided. Higher Education Minister Sanjay Singh Tiger is still drawing up the selection process for the first batch. No teacher is confirmed for the training yet.
Oxford is the only named institution so far. Choudhary said other top global institutions may also host the teachers. Harvard University may be considered, but it is not confirmed.
What did Bihar announce for its new college teachers?
Bihar will fund one-month specialised training at Oxford University for 100 assistant professors. The state bears the entire cost. The aim is to expose teachers to modern teaching methods.
The announcement came days after the colleges began work. Bihar opened 211 state-run degree colleges on July 15, 2026. All 211 opened on the same day.
The colleges were built in block towns. The goal is to bring undergraduate study closer to rural students, especially young women. Distance keeps many rural students, and girls in particular, out of college.
How many teachers go to Oxford, and how many were hired?
Two numbers matter here, and they are easy to mix up. Read them apart.
| Figure | Number |
|---|---|
| New degree colleges opened | 211 |
| Assistant professors appointed | 2,451 |
| Teachers to be sent to Oxford | 100 |
| Training length at Oxford | One month |
So 100 teachers go abroad. The other 2,351 new hires stay and teach. The trip is for a selected few, not the whole cadre.
Who pays for the Oxford training?
The Bihar government pays the entire cost. Choudhary said the state bears the full bill for the selected teachers. No teacher pays for the trip.
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The exact amount has not been announced. The state has not put out a per-teacher or total figure yet.
What else did the Chief Minister order the colleges to do?
Choudhary directed the colleges to keep student attendance at 75%. He asked each college to ensure 75% of students attend at all times. The order is meant to lift classroom participation.
Attendance is a real problem in many rural colleges. Household work, transport cost and early jobs pull students away. A 75% floor is hard to hit without transport and support in place.
Small-town teacher: will a rural posting still get you picked for Oxford?
Not clear yet. The selection rules are still being written. A teacher posted in a block town does not know if location will count for or against them.
The Higher Education Department controls the list. Until it publishes the criteria, no teacher in any district can be sure of a place. Watch the department for the first batch rules.
How much does Bihar spend on education?
Bihar has allocated 21% of its total state budget to education. That is the share going to the whole sector. It covers schools and colleges, not only this scheme.
The foreign training is one small part of that spend. Most of the 21% goes to salaries, buildings and running costs across the state.
Who is running the teacher selection?
Sanjay Singh Tiger is the Higher Education Minister of Bihar. He is developing the selection process for the first batch of 100 teachers. His department will decide who goes to Oxford.
The first batch has no date yet. The minister has not announced when the training begins or when the names come out.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bihar college teachers will go to Oxford?
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Bihar will send 100 newly appointed assistant professors to Oxford University for one-month training. They are a subset of the 2,451 assistant professors hired for 211 new colleges. The state government pays the full cost.
Does the teacher pay for the Oxford training?
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No teacher pays for the Oxford training. The Bihar government bears the entire cost for every selected teacher. The state has not yet announced the total amount or the cost per teacher.
How many new colleges did Bihar open?
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Bihar opened 211 state-run degree colleges on July 15, 2026. All 211 opened on the same day. They were built in block towns to reach rural students, especially young women.
Is Harvard University confirmed for the training?
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Harvard University is not confirmed for the training. Oxford University is the only named institution so far. The Chief Minister said other top global institutions may also be considered.
What attendance rule did the Bihar CM set?
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Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary directed colleges to keep student attendance at 75% at all times. The order aims to lift classroom participation in the new colleges. It applies to the 211 state-run degree colleges.
Last verified: September 16, 2026
Disclaimer: Dates, fees and eligibility can change without notice. Check with the Bihar Higher Education Department before you act.
