DIMAPUR, JULY 13 (MExN): The Naga Students Federation (NSF) after undertaking educational tours to various colleges, has put forth several matters of concern to the Nagaland State Chief Minister.
In a representation, NSF President, Kesosul Christopher Ltu and General Secretary, Imtiyapang Imsong sought the Chief Minister’s action on several issues to improve college education in the state.
The NSF stressed on the need for National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) for all colleges. “It is a well aware matter of fact that, the central government has changed its pattern and mode of funding to the colleges according to its performances,” the NSF pointed out. Therefore, the federation impressed upon the CM to make it mandatory for all colleges to undertake the NAAC in order to account for quality and standard education.
It also touched on the matter of grant-in-aid to private colleges. The NSF said that till the academic year 2014, colleges had been receiving a nominal amount of financial assistance in the form of grant-in-aid from the Department of Higher Education.
However, since the academic year 2015, the said grant has been drastically slashed to a meager amount (almost up to 80% out of the total amount received in the year 2014). As such, the NSF asked that the government allocate more funds in order to provide for adequate assistance in the form of grant-in-aid to the colleges.
It meanwhile also pointed out that the Department of Higher Education has appointed several Assistant Professors on contract basis in the Government Colleges. The NSF however pointed out that the salary paid to them is just a meager amount. “Taking in to consideration the workload and services rendered by the Assistant Professors,” the NSF appealed upon the Nagaland State Government to review and enhance the salary.
Also in reference to the Cabinet meeting minutes no. CAB-2/2013, dated July 5, 2018, on the approval for creation of 110 Assistant Professor posts in various colleges in the State under the Department of Higher Education, the NSF demanded that all posts should be requisitioned to the Nagaland Public Service Commission (NPSC). It also demanded appointment of the said posts while following strict adherence to the laid down norms of recruitment. The NSF also expressed concern with relation to study materials for college libraries. The NSF informed that it has become aware that all government run colleges in the state do not receive any materials for their libraries.
The federation said it is a necessity and of utmost relevance for students to refer to study materials from the college library. Therefore, the federation urged upon the government to adequately supply study materials for the college libraries.
Finally, the NSF also stressed on the need to increase the use of bio-metric attendance systems. “Few colleges have introduced bio-metric attendance and it is recommended that the same system be established in all the colleges as it improves the efficiency and regularity of the staffs in the institutions, and further it will enable No Work, No Pay’ in totality,” the NSF said.
It urged the Nagaland Chief Minister to address these matters in the interest of the student community and beseeched for a written reply to the undersigned office within 20 days on receipt of this representation.
