Motihari, Bihar: 167 ICT instructors in East Champaran district have been abruptly terminated from their jobs, plunging them into an livelihood crisis just before Diwali and Chhath festivals. These employees allege they were hired to promote digital education in government schools through ICT labs and worked for eight months without receiving any salary for their services. Now, they have been dismissed via an official directive.

The aggrieved instructors staged a protest outside the District Education Officer (DEO) office on Friday, demanding re-appointment and payment of their pending dues. Suman Kumari, Mantosh Kumar, Ashutosh Kumar, Anwar Alam, and other instructors explained that a letter dated March 7, 2026, was issued by the District Program Officer, Primary Education and Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, East Champaran, Motihari. This letter, referencing VV/26/269 dated March 6, 2026, from Vistar Vision, Patna, stated that these instructors were selected by Vistar Vision, the agency chosen for the installation and operation of ICT labs in East Champaran schools. Headmasters were instructed to accept their joining and inform the district office.

The instructors claim they joined the schools based on departmental letters and performed their duties, including U-DISE and other online tasks, as well as teaching computer skills to students. They questioned why their services were terminated after eight months of work, given that their appointments were based on departmental directives, and who would be responsible for paying their outstanding wages.

District Education Officer Rajan Kumar Giri clarified that he neither appointed nor terminated these individuals. He advised the instructors to contact the agency through which they were appointed. Many instructors are reportedly in deep depression due to losing their jobs and not receiving salaries, especially with major festivals like Diwali and Chhath approaching. They continue to pursue their demands with the department.