A view of Zunheboto Government College. (Morung Photo)
Morung Express News
Zunheboto | August 7
Zunheboto District Planning and Development Board (DPDB) monthly meeting was held at the DC Conference Hall, Zunheboto on August 7. The meeting was chaired by Deputy Commissioner and Vice Chairman of DPDB, Dharam Raj, IAS.
During the meeting, a significant agenda taken up was the proposal by Zunheboto Government College to introduce new academic programmes, including a Sociology Department, Education Honours, an Integrated B.Ed. course, and a Science stream.
Dr R Bendangtemjen, Principal of Zunheboto Government College emphasised that the appointment of teachers should precede these developments, stating, “Once teachers are appointed, students will eventually come and enroll.”
He appealed to the department to assist fifth-semester students with their mandatory 60-hour internship programme under the Four-Year Undergraduate Programme (FYUGP), as it is now a compulsory component of the curriculum.
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Dr Bendangtemjen also highlighted the pathetic road condition of the college road turning it into ponds now students and teachers are facing a major problem now.
Sumi Hoho slams teacher transfers
Further, Dr Vihuto Asumi, President Sumi Hoho, expressed serious concern over the frequent attachment of faculty members from Zunheboto Government College to other institutions, weakening the only government arts college in the district.
He informed that a formal representation on the issue had already been submitted to the concerned department on May 16, yet no action had been taken. “Even on July 30, another teacher was transferred. We are preparing to issue an open letter to the department and the concerned minister. Why is the department giving step-motherly treatment to our lone government college?” he questioned.
Highlighting the socioeconomic challenges faced by students, Dr Asumi pointed out that most students at the college come from underprivileged backgrounds and cannot afford to study elsewhere.
“Three faculty members have already been transferred, two from the History Department and one from Education. This is discriminatory and deeply concerning,” he said.
Resign if you can’t serve: DC Zunheboto
Responding to the concerns, DC Zunheboto assured the board that steps would be taken to address the issue. “We must stop the practice of attachment and instead work to induct more qualified teachers. Political leaders should not be solely blamed; we must examine the grassroots issues and ensure merit-based appointments,” he said.
The DC stressed, “Public service should not be deprived or compromised. If one cannot fulfill their duties, they have every right to resign. They cannot play with the lives of our students.”
He also added that “Accreditation can wait, what matters first is the quality of education, to get more points in the accreditation assessment. Teachers going for study leave for further studies despite college grappling with limited faculty are not fair for our students’.”
Other agendas included the proposal for registration of the Suruhuto Area Sports Association (SASA) as a society under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, which was forwarded for approval.
The meeting also discussed the distribution of departmental responsibilities for the upcoming 79th Independence Day celebrations.
A PowerPoint presentation was delivered by the Land Resources Department, Zunheboto, highlighting various activities and schemes, including the e-Shram scheme for Nagaland’s building and construction workers, scholarships for children, medical assistance, and the verification of labor beneficiaries. It was announced that the next departmental PowerPoint presentation will be presented by the Urban Development Department.
