Sasaram: A govt initiative aimed at promoting music education in govt schools across Rohtas district has largely failed to achieve its objective, with musical instruments worth crores of rupees lying unused in cupboards and storerooms due to an acute shortage of music teachers.The education department had supplied musical instruments to 2,051 primary schools and 283 upper-primary schools in the district to encourage students’ interest in music and facilitate regular music classes. However, years after the distribution, most of the instruments remain unused, with some gathering dust in storerooms while others are still packed in boxes.Under the scheme, schools received harmoniums, tablas, dholaks, jhaal, kartals, flutes, manjiras, jingles and public address systems. Selected middle schools were also provided complete band sets, including guitars, drums, keyboards and bass instruments. Music desks were installed to support classroom training.The department had planned to conduct music classes three days a week, with a special focus on encouraging girls’ participation and introducing students to local folk music and cultural traditions. However, the absence of qualified music teachers has prevented effective implementation of the programme in most schools.Officials said Rohtas district currently has only around 140 music teachers, far too few for its vast network of govt schools. While several upper-primary and secondary schools are functioning without music instructors, primary schools have virtually no dedicated music teachers.Sources said a similar situation prevails in many other districts of Bihar. The state govt spent more than Rs 150 crore during the 2023-24 financial year to procure musical instruments for govt schools across the state. However, the equipment was supplied without consulting school headmasters or assessing whether institutions had adequate infrastructure and trained personnel to utilise them effectively.Instead of serving their intended purpose, the instruments have become an additional burden for many schools. A headmaster, requesting anonymity, said several govt schools are already struggling with a shortage of classrooms, leaving little space to safely store the expensive equipment.“While we struggle to provide adequate classrooms for teaching, we have also been burdened with the responsibility of safeguarding costly musical instruments despite having no proper storage facilities,” the headmaster said.Several teachers alleged that, in some cases, musical instruments were taken from school premises and kept at teachers’ residences, raising concerns over their safety, accountability and proper utilisation.
