DIMAPUR — The All
Nagaland College Students' Union (ANCSU) has appealed to the minister of Higher
Education and Tourism to rollback absorption of 147 contractual teachers order
dated December 18, 2024 under Higher Education department
“The matter of fact that the contractual teachers have
sincerely contributed their services towards the government colleges in
particular and the students' at large is appreciated. However, the mode of
appointments made in contravention to the laid down rules and regulations has
led to an outrage from the aspirants,” an ANCSU representation to the minister
stated.
It stated that ANCSU, considering the gravity of the issue
over the years, has consistently advocated for strengthening of higher
education in Nagaland. Besides, it added that the union had raised concerns
about the acute shortage of faculty in government colleges, especially in light
of the implementation of the New Education Policy (NEP) and the introduction of
the four year undergraduate programme (FYUGP), both of which required a
significant increase in qualified teaching staff.
In this context, ANCSU reminded that it had submitted a
representation dated October 3, 2022 demanding for creation of necessary posts
and timely recruitment through proper process. It pointed out that the
prolonged issue with existing contractual teachers from 2009 till date has
mushroomed to one fifth of the existing regular teachers, resulting to
dependency on those teachers by the colleges.
Considering the interest of the students and sanctity of
academic institutions, the union has appealed to the state government to
rollback the absorption order and also invite the concerned stakeholders
immediately to arrive at an amicable solution, which should be in the interest
of the aspirants and the colleges.
The union has affirmed its stand to deliver justice to the
students and the aspirants at any cost, while ensuring the wellbeing of the
colleges as well. It further urged the competent authority to address the issue
on top priority, and let justice prevail in the greater interest of one and
all.
NMSA condemns unconstitutional regularisation order
The Nagaland Medical Students’ Association (NMSA) has
unequivocally and vehemently condemned the order dated December 17, 2024, which
authorised the absorption and regularisation of 147 assistant professors and
librarians under the Department of Higher Education.
It stated that order denied the rights and opportunities
enshrined under Article 14 and 16 of the Constitution, which guaranteed
equality before the law and equal opportunity in public employment. It stated
that by circumventing open, competitive recruitment processes, the decision
undermined the merit, perseverance and legitimate expectations of qualified
aspirants preparing to compete through the Nagaland Public Service Commission
(NPSC).
NMSA has expressed unwavering solidarity with all deserving
aspirants and also commended the Combined Technical Association of Nagaland
(CTAN) and the Nagaland NET Qualified Forum (NNQF) for courageously defending
the rights of students and the integrity of public institutions.
NMSA recalled with disappointment the recent attempt to
regularise 280 contractual posts including contractual medical officers in the
health department without due process.
It demanded that all 168 contractual medical officer posts
from the COVID period be requisitioned to NPSC for proper recruitment.
We reiterated its stand that all public appointments must be
conducted through a transparent and advertised process under NPSC/ NSSB,
involving written examinations and viva-voce.
It also stated that no individual or group should be granted
undue privilege at the expense of constitutional justice and public trust and
that backdoor appointments must be unequivocally rejected.
In light of the above, NMSA has demanded the government of
Nagaland to cancel the said order without delay and halt all irregular
regularisations; requisition all vacant posts to NPSC/NSSB for a fair, open and
merit-based selection process and restore faith among the aspirants of Nagaland
by upholding equal opportunity and rejecting all forms of nepotism and
administrative shortcuts.
NMSA further stated that it remains resolute in its
commitment to defend those principles and would continue to raise its voice
against any injustice in public service recruitment.
Meanwhile, the Angami Students' Union, Delhi (ASUD), Sangtam
scholars and National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) Nagaland have also
condemned the government’s order dated December 17, 2024, which authorised the
absorption and regularisation of 147 assistant professors and librarians under
the Department of Higher Education.
