ANCSU seeks increased grant-in-aid for private, theological colleges

DIMAPUR: All Nagaland College Students’ Union (ANCSU) has urged the department of higher education to enhance grant-in-aid for private and theological colleges, stating that the existing financial assistance was inadequate to meet the growing demands of higher education.
In a representation addressed to the ex-officio director of the department of higher education, ANCSU president Kivika Yeptho and general secretary Sotilo Tep acknowledged the government’s continued support through grant-in-aid under the non-development budget. The union noted that the government currently allocates Rs.2.65 crore annually for this purpose. However, it said the grant was disbursed under different categories, with several institutions receiving as little as Rs.2 lakh, Rs.1.5 lakh or Rs.1 lakh each. ANCSU said the present level of assistance has become insufficient due to rising costs of academic administration, infrastructure maintenance, technological upgrades and student support services. The union highlighted that private and theological colleges have played a vital role in expanding access to higher education, particularly in areas where government institutions are limited.
Despite operating with limited resources, the union said those colleges contribute significantly to human resource development and employment generation.
ANCSU appealed to the department to undertake a comprehensive review of the existing grant-in-aid structure and increase financial assistance across all categories of private and theological colleges. It also urged the department to ensure full and judicious utilisation of the sanctioned allocation. The union said enhanced financial support would help improve academic infrastructure, strengthen libraries and laboratories, expand learning resources, adopt digital education and create a better environment for quality higher education. ANCSU described stronger financial backing as an investment in the future of Nagaland’s higher education sector and requested the department to favourably consider its representation.