Asian Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies ISSN: 2321-8819 (Online) Volume 2, Issue 8, August 2014 2348-7186 (Print) Impact Factor: 0.923 Available online at www.ajms.co.in 43 Higher Education in Bihar: A Case Study of Jai Prakash University, Chapra Arshad Masood Hashmi 1 and Manoj Kumar 2 1 Associate Professor in Urdu, Gopeshwar College, Hathua, Gopalganj. 841436 2 Assistant Professor in Chemistry, Gopeshwar College, Hathua, Gopalganj. 841436 Abstract: The state of Bihar had a rich and hoary tradition of Higher Education but due to the government’s apathy, controversial appointments of Vice-Chancellors and Principals, the tug of war between the Chancellor’s office and the government, dilly dallying attitude of the University officials, unethical practices of the University officers and some of the Principals, there had been a drastic fall in the standard of education system in Bihar during last decade. This paper examines and analyses functioning of one University of Bihar, Jai Prakash University, which has recently been in controversies over the appointment of its erstwhile Vice-Chancellor and Pro Vice-Chancellor which has adversely affected the overall performance of the University and the colleges associated with it. Keywords: Jai Prakash University, Higher Education in Bihar, Constituent Colleges, Proposed Colleges, Examination System in Bihar. The Background: The state of Bihar in India, the land of Chanakya, Buddha and Ashoka has had a rich and hoary tradition of learning. But, with the advent of time, things began to get changed and deteriorated. Today there are many institutions of higher learning in Bihar yet there is a lack of quality education. Heretofore, besides some Proposed Universities, two Central and two Deemed Universities, there are fifteen State Universities in the State of Bihar in India (‘List of institutions of higher education in Bihar’. n.d.). Among these universities, Jai Prakash Vishwavidyalaya (University) was established in 1990 in the District of Chapra (from p. 1 of Jai Prakash University), the headquarters of Saran Commissionaire. All the colleges under this University were previously attached with B. R. A. Bihar University, Muzaffarpur. Jai Prakash University is facing various kinds of problems since its inception. Not very lately, the situations in the University were messy and blotted due to the functioning of its higher authorities. Moreover, the tug of war between the Chancellor and the state government over the appointment of Vice- and Pro Vice- Chancellors seriously damaged the academic scenario of higher education in Bihar (Trpathi, March 06, 2013 & Mishra, July 01, 2013, Kumar). When higher education in Bihar was reeling under the burdens of competing other states, it was quite disturbing and disheartening to observe how the Chancellor’s office played a partial role in these affairs and got mired in controversy over the appointment of six Vice- Chancellors across state universities. Problems: In addition to this, the examination system, right from Matriculation to the Pre-Ph. D. tests, further discredited degrees and certificates being awarded in Bihar. No two examination centres hold examinations alike. If the examinees are being strictly invigilated at some of the examination centres, for example in Gaya, Muzaffarpur and Patna, then on the other hand they are given a free hand to use unfair means at the centres in far flung, distant localities that may be lying in sub-divisional headquarters or blocks or even district headquarters. Till yesteryear, most of the examination centres at Chapra and Gopalganj used to be a hub for ‘degree-generating-examinations’ when being matriculate or graduated or being declared fit for a Ph. D. program was just a fun. There is a little change in the system though, as far as college examinations are concerned, but still there is a severe lack of uniformity. The examinees get expelled at one centre while they enjoy ‘freedom of using unfair means’ at the other centre. Furthermore, different categories of colleges and non-willingness of the authorities at different levels have also created havoc in the overall system of Higher Education in Bihar. A case study of Jai Prakash University: There are three types of colleges under Jai Prakash University: Constituent, Affiliated, and Proposed. 'Affiliated College' and 'Constituent College' are defined in section 2(c) and 2(i) of the Bihar State Universities Act, 1976 (Govt. of Bihar, 2013, March 19). The Act states that every institution recognized and receiving privileges of the universities in accordance with provisions of the Act and universities' statutes is called 'Affiliated College' while a 'Constituent College' is a teaching CORE Metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk Provided by Asian Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies (AJMS)