GT Thong
Lower Agri Colony, Kohima
The bitter continuing saga has gripped higher education of Nagaland by the throat. Where lies the problem? The corridors of power! The Higher Education Department is the culprit for the huge rot within. As if jeopardising the careers of the younger generation is not enough, the department is now trying to hammer the last nail on the coffin of Quality Higher Education. Strong arm tactics is also being used to intimidate young faculties. Some members of NNQF who cleared the NPSC CESE recently, were summoned to meet the concerned Head. Their fault - their moral support and/or involvement with NNQF. A new faculty has been charged with donating to the cause of NNQF. These young people were once part of the NNQF but are now new college faculties. Who are we to decide that they cut off all ties with their former organisation, unless of course, political in nature? This is a fight for cleansing the filth in our society. It is the fight of everyone who cares for our state and the future generations. These young people have been threatened with dire consequences. Dig a little deeper and a lot more filth is sure to surface.
Today we know that the student bodies of some Government colleges were forced to come out openly in support of the recent mismanagement in Higher Education by some Principals and faculties. Behind the scenes, someone right on top was pulling the strings. Who? It’s an open secret - the Head.
Besides the illegal contract recruitment during his watch, the concerned Minister is also guilty of going on the rampage by damaging the very structure of the Department. One example is the arbitrary removal of the UGC-qualified Director, Dr Nshoga. This is a very bad precedence created, but, we never heard any dissenting voices. Or, were they were hushed up? This has happened while numerous non qualified persons were being recruited as faculties over the years. At this rate, we shall soon have a department where UGC-mandated qualifications is a liability. The very foundation on which higher education rests today is in danger of annihilation. The UGC has prescribed norms for appointment of faculties and their promotion. Depending on the length of qualifying service these faculties are promoted to higher levels. Most teachers aspire to become the Principal of an institution one day. Such posts are reserved for those qualified, and on seniority. This is a UGC requirement. One of these Principals then, being the most qualified, should be appointed as Director, on seniority. But alas, victimisation is the new normal! Somebody from outside the system has taken over as head of the Directorate, no matter in what status. Now we hear that the structure of the hierarchy in the Directorate too is in danger. It does not bode well for Higher Education in Nagaland. It is now clear that the incumbent Head in charge of Higher Education is not fit to be in the department any longer. He has destroyed the department by mismanaging affairs to a great extent. It would be prudent on the part of the Government to replace him with an educated and qualified person, a person who can carry higher education to greater heights. Nagaland desperately needs it!
