Bihar model schools renamed and repainted: Teachers question spending amid compliance
In line with a directive from the Bihar government, all 551 model schools across the state are being renamed “Saraswati Vidya Niketan” and repainted in a specified “sunrise” colour. The order, announced by Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary on July 19, 2026, applies to schools catering to Classes 9 to 12 in every block. While officials say the move is part of a standard renovation drive, some teachers have expressed concern over the timing and cost of the repainting exercise.
The exterior walls of B.P. High School in Begusarai, where the Chief Minister made the announcement alongside Education Minister Mithilesh Tiwari, have already been painted in the new shade. The name “Saraswati Vidya Niketan” has been printed on polymer sheets and displayed at the main gate. The school, established in 1888, now carries the new signage over its century-old entrance.
Kamini Kumari, the principal of B.P. High School, said that while staff have no choice but to follow departmental orders, she questions the necessity of repainting so soon after a fresh coat was applied. “I had got the school building painted just a few days ago, spending lakhs of rupees. Now we have been asked to repaint it with the sunrise colour, and the first coat has already been done,” she said. Kumari, who also teaches chemistry, noted that the directive comes from higher authorities and that teachers are expected to comply.
The school, spread across roughly five acres in central Begusarai, has 44 teachers and 2,900 students. Principal Kumari said the Chief Minister appeared impressed with the students’ presentation during his visit. Her husband, Bishwajeet Kumar, a physical education teacher, is currently constructing a new cricket pitch on the campus. “We will complete it soon, though intermittent rain is slowing the work,” he said.
The repainting exercise has raised financial questions. The District Education Officer of Begusarai, Manoj Kumar, confirmed that work is underway in all model schools in the district, which has 18 blocks and four additional schools due to its size. He said the district has already spent nearly ₹12 lakh on repainting B.P. High School alone, following the colour specifications issued by the Bihar State Educational Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd. (BSIEDC). The guidelines specify “External Wall — Sunrise (0526 — Asian Paint), Border: Chocolate Brown Enamel, Interior — Xtra White, and Door/Windows: Golden Brown Enamel.”
One teacher, speaking on condition of anonymity, suggested the money could have been used more effectively. “We still do not understand why a fresh coat of paint was necessary so soon. It would have been better to increase the number of computers from 10 to 50, giving more students practical access to technology,” the teacher said. The school currently has 10 computer sets for a student body of nearly 3,000.
The “sunrise” colour, as specified, closely resembles saffron, a hue commonly associated with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party. However, the government has not stated any political reason for the choice, and officials describe it as a standard aesthetic update. The BSIEDC issued its letter on July 7, 2026, directing district units to ensure uniformity in painting and signage across all model schools.
While the administrative machinery moves swiftly to implement the change, the response from school staff reflects a mix of dutiful compliance and quiet concern over priorities. For now, the schools are being repainted as instructed, and the new nameplates are going up.
