Eastern Nagaland College Students’ Union (ENCSU) has expressed shock at the decision of authorities of Wangkhao College in Mon district to suspend honours in Education.
Opposing the move, a press release issued by ENCSU president M Longre Chang and general secretary WangNei C Jessuhu regretted that instead of augmenting the institution’s overall facilities the college authorities was only suspending providing honours on Education that was started decades back. The duo pointed out that there were many students from poor background unable to afford to study at other places and hence dependent on Wangkhao College to take honours on the subject.
The students’ body said it was shocked to learn that the college authorities had notified suspension of honours on Education in the ongoing academic session due to shortage of teachers in the institution’s Education department. The union said this was the first time in the history of Nagaland that an honours subject was suspended in the middle of an academic session.
Expressing its sadness at the “manipulation” by the government, ENCSU pointed out that the move would directly affect the student community.
It further asked the State government and higher education department to clarify on what ground the college authorities issued the notification and why the government failed to appoint sufficient number of lecturers at Wangkhao College.
Alleging that the subject has been taken off as per the State government’s directive, the union wanted to know the reason for shortage of lecturers at the college in comparison to other colleges in Nagaland.
It demanded that the government give an immediate clarification on the matter, if the latter issued any directive in this regard.
ENCSU asked the State government and higher education department to look into the matter immediately before the students resume their classes. It also warned that if any problem arises with the students following the decision, then the government will be held solely responsible for it.
The influential students’ body also urged the government to initiate action against those professors of Eastern Nagaland colleges who are attached to other colleges or the directorate.
Reminding that a memorandum was submitted to higher & technical education commissioner secretary by ENCSU seeking recall of such professors to their respective places of posting, the release alleged that the attached professors were drawing salaries from their posted institutions while working in other places.
The release added that such a practice was harming affecting studies.
Warning politicians against involving themselves with professors or lecturers, ENCSU said the minister concerned and local MLAs should know the problems faced by students in their local areas.
Finally, the union asked the government to immediately recall all attached professors to their respective places of posting in Eastern Nagaland.