ANCSU lists ills plaguing colleges in Nagaland

Dimapur, March 9 (EMN): The All Nagaland College Students’ Union (ANCSU) on Saturday listed numerous problems faced by various institutions across the state. According to a press release from the union, the findings were based on an “education tour” conducted in all the district colleges and government polytechnic institutes in Nagaland from March 4 to the 7th. Phek and Seithekema Polytechnic “On the 7th March 2019 the ANCSU team visited two government polytechnics. During the visit of ANCSU officials to Government Polytechnic Seithekema-C, Dimapur it was found that there is no proper road connectivity and lack of proper basic amenities. The institute also lack staff quarters and boys hostels. The institute also has only one regular lecturer and is in immediate need of computer, physics lecturers. “The ANCSU officials also visited Government Polytechnic Tsunazho, Phek. The institute lack regular teaching staff, staff quarters and workshop. The equipment’s and materials supplied by the suppliers are yet to be installed and remain unpacked as it was brought. A total amount of INR 2.64 crore for Government Polytechnic Seithekema-C Dimapur and an amount of INR. 2.07 crore for Government Polytechnic Tsunazho, Phek was sanctioned for supply of laboratory equipments and various materials during the year 2017-18. The ANCSU officials during its education tour have inspected and have taken into record that the equipments and materials supplied by the suppliers were of less quantity and poor quality,” the statement read. It expressed shock that the institute’s authorities were “asked and compelled by the directorate of Technical Education to issue a receipt certificate to the suppliers/contractors.” The institution officials were told not to authenticate the equipment, which is necessary for commissioning before the issuing of receipt certificate and release of fund to the supplier/contractor, it stated. “As the institutions cannot compromise the quality of education imparted to the students and the society cannot afford to allow such practices that hampers the process of learning, the ANCSU demands from the concerned authority (sic) to immediately intervene and reject all the compromised equipments/materials and reinstate the quality and quantity equipments/materials, as prescribed and required within 30 days. Failing which the ANCSU will resort its own course of action. “The directorate of Technical Education is also appealed to withhold the release of any backlog payments to any of the suppliers/contractors involved until the matter is resolved and the institution demand is fulfilled as mentioned,” the statement read. Phek Government College On March 5, the ANCSU team visited Phek Government College and interacted with the students and college authority. “The college authority informed the ANCSU officials about the shortage of teaching staff in all the departments. It was also learned that almost half of the total strength of teaching staff were on contract basis. “In the Science stream, each department is struggling with one or a maximum of two lecturers. The officials were also informed that due to shortage of lecturers it is not possible to complete the syllabus before the upcoming end semester examinations,” it stated. Pfutsero Government College The next day, the team visited Pfutsero Government College. “The officials interacted with the students and the college authority where the officials also highlighted about the issues confronting the students’ community. The officials also encouraged the students to be vigilant in matters relating to scholarships and appealed the college authority to introduce vocational courses in the college. The college authority informed the officials about the land dispute at the official quarters of the principal and vice- principal (peon quarter) where some private parties claim to be their land as there is no written documents of acquiring the area by the government.” Dimapur Government College Prior to that, the team visited Dimapur Government College on March 4—where the ANCSU officials were reportedly informed that the college was having only one 30-sitter college bus running on a daily-basis. “The officials were also informed that the boys’ hostel (under construction) has been left abandoned and unattended for almost two (2) years now. The construction of science block building is yet to be completed and has no sign of completing any soon. Whereas, the college is supposed to start its science stream by the current academic year. It was also informed that no lecturers have been sanctioned for the science stream till date. “In regard to the problems and grievances reported by the different district colleges, the ANCSU is shocked to learn the negligence of the concerned department (sic) and the state government. The ANCSU further warns the concerned department/authority to take stock of the situation and take necessary actions, to avoid further misunderstandings,” the statement read. Meanwhile, a source from Phek Government College, who wanted to remain anonymous, told Eastern Mirror over the phone that ANSCU executives did inspect the college and the students shared their grievances to them during an interaction. The source went on to say that the students told the visiting team that the college was short-staffed, particularly in the Science stream and that one lecturer had to take seven to eight classes per day. More than 50% of the teaching staff were on contract basis; and in Science stream, almost all the lecturers are on contract basis as replacement for lecturers who have left the college were yet to arrive. Due to the acute shortage of teachers, they are not able to complete the syllabus before each semester examination, according to the source.