Akangjungla Longchar
Dimapur | December 6
In pursuance of ‘quality education in higher education’ the All Nagaland College Students’ Union has vowed to pay particular attention to the land encroachment problem in Government colleges. The union has specified to the State government proper land demarcation and fencing around Dimapur Government College. As for Kohima Science College, the government has only surveyed the land but no measure has been taken so far. “We are seriously pursuing the land encroachment issue and we will definitely look into it,” ANSCU President O. Wati stated during a press conference held at Saku’s Mission College, Dimapur today.
The ANSCU highlighted the findings of the union’s educational tour and joint meeting with colleges within Nagaland which was held September 4 to November 16, covering 36 colleges. Bringing out the genuine problems faced by government colleges Wati said “The union has no problem with promotion of lectures but it will not compromise in any point with cross-transfer of lecturers in the middle of the academic session.” Subsequently, the union highlighted that apart from Kohima, Dimapur and Mokokchung, the ‘libraries are not updated.’
The union has also submitted a representation of 12-points of appeal to the Vice Chancellor of NU to take affective measures in order to promote quality education. “In order to improve the standard of higher education, the NU should work on certain policy for detachment of class 11 and 12 from colleges,” the union pleads in the representation. On the note of Environmental Studies introduced in III degree level in lieu of GFC, ANSCU has requested the university to consider the students’ result seeing certain lapses at the time of introduction of this subject. Related to this the union pointed out that “there should be proper academic calendar before the academic session starts and as such introduction of new syllabus be well informed in advance.”
The representation also suggested that workshops should be held to train examiners in method of proper evaluation and ‘the NU must declare the results within 60 days as per the UGC norms.’ The ANSCU further said that ‘the matter of under-paid lecturers should be immediately looked into.’
“Some permanently affiliated colleges are not adhering to the UGC basic scale pay norms, such institution must be asked to pay the proper scale immediately without which affiliation should be withdrawn.” The union has also called for review or scrutiny in giving permanent affiliation after 5 years and not 10 years for colleges to avail UGC schemes.
The 7th representation on ‘continuity of examination’ appeals to the VC that “basing on performance of terminal exams only students must be promoted to appear their final exams and not on selection exams.” Having concern over the rapid growth of arts colleges in Kohima and Dimapur, ANSCU has requested the university ‘not to give new affiliation to any institute for a time being. Some other representations include introduction of uniform in all colleges, uniformity of retirement age for private lecturers, de-affiliate colleges based on academic result and introduction of job-oriented courses in degree level.
Pointing out the results of its district-wise tour to government colleges, the need of class room extension was highlighted as common in both Dimapur Government College and Kohima Science College. In addition the teaching faculty and student body of Kohima Science College expressed the need for improvement of the college laboratory. College Students of Zunheboto and Wokha have requested the concern authorities “not to depute lecturers for election duty” as it effects the smooth functioning of the academic session. Likewise, introduction of computers is the immediate need for Peren Government College.
In Tuensang Sao Chang College, the lack of adequate number of lecturers in the science stream, has thrown the college into dilemma whether to continue or stop the Science stream. “There is only one lecturer in each department but according to UGS norms there should be atleast 2 lecturers”, O. Wati added to his statement. Transportation is a major drawback for the lecturers as well as for the students in Wangkhao College Mon, the campus being far away from the main town.
In Mokokchung the vocational course of Functional Language in Fazl Ali College is an encouragement of others. However, it is also overshadowed by the fact that the English lecturer appointed for the college is yet to report to the post. Later, next year the union will be undertaking the same programme to Longleng, Kiphire and Phek
