Bihar Women Teachers Safety: ICC Committees Mandatory, Misconduct May Invite Action

Bihar Women Teachers Safety: The Bihar Education Department has issued New Guidelines to government schools and offices to ensure women teachers and staff are treated with dignity and respect. The New Guidelines state Internal Complaints Committees (ICC) must be set up in offices.

This ensures female employees can report any unwanted behaviour. They have also said that any misconduct or discrimination will be seen as a breach of conduct in government services and may result in disciplinary action.

The guidelines were issued on the 10th November 2026 by Additional Chief Secretary C.K. Anil to Regional Deputy Directors of Education, District Education Officers (DEOs) and District Programme Officers.

Bihar Education Department New Guidelines for Women Teachers

The guidelines state female teachers and staff must be given equal opportunities and treated with dignity in education and government.

They have stated that schools should look to encourage female teachers to get involved in extra-curricular activities, academic and important government and social activities.

Internal Complaints Committees Must Be Set Up in Government Offices

One of the main points of the New Guidelines from the Bihar Education Department are the Internal Complaints Committees (ICC).

These committees will give female employees a platform to raise any issues in the workplace relating to sexual harassment under the POSH Act 2013.

The guidelines state:

• All government offices must have an Internal Complaints Committee.
• The senior female employee will be the Chairperson of the committee.
• If there are ongoing proceedings within the department then another suitable female employee, based on seniority, can be placed as the Chairperson.
• Female teachers and staff can make written complaints relating to unwanted behaviour.
• The committee will investigate whilst adhering to the principles of natural justice.
• The committee will give the female employees a formal way to raise their concerns.

90 Days to Make a Written Complaint

The New Guidelines state that females can make a written complaint within 90 days.

If the female teacher or staff member experiences unwanted behaviour they can make a complaint to the Chairperson of the ICC within 90 days.

They will investigate the issue and allow both parties to make their case.

This matches the guidelines set out in Section 9 of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013.

This states that a complaint can be made within three months. However, the act does allow the committee to extend the time frame by an additional three months if there were extenuating circumstances preventing the female from making a complaint.

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Female Teachers Will Be Mentors to Girl Students

Alongside ensuring protection in the workplace, the guidelines have highlighted the importance of female teachers to help support girl pupils academically.

The guidelines state that schools should encouraging female teachers to Become Mentors to girl pupils.

This will create a friendly environment where girls can go to a teacher they trust to discuss any academic issues they are having, personal issues or other issues they may be experiencing at school. Having a female mentor will allow students to be more open when communicating.

What Does the POSH Act 2013 Say?

The guidelines set by the department relate to the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 also known as the POSH Act.

Section 4 of the law states that an Internal Committee must be set up by employers. This consists of a senior female employee (Presiding Officer), employee representatives and an outside member with relevant experience.

There is also a Local Committee set up in the district to receive complaints from establishments who haven’t set up an Internal Committee due to having less than 10 workers, or if the complaint is against the employer.

Section 9 of the law states how complaints can be made and section 19 outlines what the employer should do. This includesSEO creating a safe working environment and helping with the complaints process.