Student unions of 11 government colleges have raised hue and cry over recent transfers of faculty members (assistant professors) to new model colleges at Mangkolemba and Wakching supposedly on short term basis for six months.
In a joint statement, general secretaries of the 11 affected government colleges have expressed disheartenment at the notification issued by the department of Higher and Technical Education whereby permanent faculty members of Kohima College, Kohima Science College (A) Jotsoma; Fazl Ali College, Mokokchung; Mokokchung College for Teachers Education; State College for Teachers Education Kohima and Mount Tiyi College Wokha, were transferred and attached with New Model Colleges at Mangkolemba and Wakching on “short term basis (six months)”. The signatories pointed out that implementation of the Four-Year Undergraduate Programme (FYGUP) under the New Education Policy (NEP) from the academic session 2023, concurrent with the old Nagaland University syllabus (2012) and the Choice Based Credit System (CBCS), will put additional strain on the already understaffed colleges.
They also cited the Nagaland University order dated March 24,2023 that NYGUP, NEP “needs to be implemented from the coming academic session of 2023”.
They said this require additional teaching staff in all departments whereas the H&TE notification was in stark contrast to the increasing demand in workload and weakening the already battered structure.
The union pointed out that any displacement of teachers, irrespective of the duration, is an impediment to learning process of students as sending away twelve (12) permanent faculty members from the existing colleges for a duration of six months, will cause irreparable repercussions to learning.
They also termed the H&TE notification as “a blatant display of incompetence at best and indifference at worst.”
While applauding the establishments of the new colleges, the unions however said the hast with which teachers were roped in leaves little to be desired and described the current arrangement of transfers of teachers through attachment as detrimental for all participating colleges.
They also said the transferred and attached teachers would have to single handedly manage the entire department.
The signatories said this raises questions on whether any prior consultations were held with educational experts and stakeholders. The unions pointed out that assistant professors at MCTE and SCTE do not possess NET qualification in their own subject and thus, fail to fulfil the minimum UGC norms to teach in colleges. Therefore, transferring them on attachment basis was in violation of the norms.
Slamming the H&TE department, the signatories expressed dissent and strong objection at the haphazard transfer of the teachers without consideration of the affected students interests and warned it will not remain mute unless rectification was done by the department.
It further demanded that the H&TE notification be revoked; effect recruitment and sanction of posts via proper channel (NPSC/CESE) and holding prior consultations with stakeholders.
The signatories included general secretaries of—FACSU (Tushikaba Dilong), KSCSU (L. Sangtam), DGCSU (Rendemo C. Tsanglao), YCSU (Baulang N. Angh), KCSU (Hyulo Tsela), ZGCSU (Akhevi K. Awomi), PGCUS (Ranjan Sha), PGCSU (Lhiswe Sekhamo), WGCSU (P. Shashei Avung), MTCSU (T. Tsopoe) and PGCSU (Isaplungle).
WASU calls for reconsideration of teachers’ transfer
DIAMPUR, MAY 22 (NPN): The Western Angami Students’ Union (WASU) has expressed concern over the transfer of teachers from Kohima Science College, Jotsoma as “attachment” to the New Model College, Wakching in Mon district.
In a press release, WASU president Mhiesisekho said that the government’s transfer orders of teachers, without any replacement, between an academic year would leave students in the lurch and affect their academic progress.
Considering the fact that Kohima Science College was a prestigious institution and for the wellbeing of students, WASU pointed out that transfer would hamper the academic performance of students and adversely affect the institution, which had been striving to nurture students from across Nagaland and beyond ever since its establishment.
WASU, therefore, appealed to the authority concerned to reconsider the teachers’ transfer order to the new colleges, which were yet to start functioning.