The bitter continuing saga has gripped higher education of
Nagaland by the throat. Where lies the problem? The corridors of power! The
Higher Education Department is the culprit for the huge rot within. As if
jeopardising the careers of the younger generation is not enough, the
department is now trying to hammer the last nail on the coffin of Quality
Higher Education. Strong arm tactics is also being used to intimidate young
faculties. Some members of NNQF who cleared the NPSC CESE recently, were
summoned to meet the concerned Head. Their fault - their moral support and/or
involvement with NNQF. A new faculty has been charged with donating to the
cause of NNQF. These young people were once part of the NNQF but are now new
college faculties. Who are we to decide that they cut off all ties with their
former organisation, unless of course, political in nature? This is a fight for
cleansing the filth in our society. It is the fight of everyone who cares for
our state and the future generations. These young people have been threatened
with dire consequences. Dig a little deeper and a lot more filth is sure to
surface.
Today we know that the student bodies of some Government
colleges were forced to come out openly in support of the recent mismanagement
in Higher Education by some Principals and faculties. Behind the scenes,
someone right on top was pulling the strings. Who? It’s an open secret - the
Head.
Besides the illegal contract recruitment during his watch,
the concerned Minister is also guilty of going on the rampage by damaging the
very structure of the Department. One example is the arbitrary removal of the
UGC-qualified Director, Dr Nshoga. This is a very bad precedence created, but,
we never heard any dissenting voices. Or, were they were hushed up? This has
happened while numerous non-qualified persons were being recruited as faculties
over the years. At this rate, we shall soon have a department where UGC-mandated
qualifications is a liability. The very foundation on which higher education
rests today is in danger of annihilation. The UGC has prescribed norms for
appointment of faculties and their promotion. Depending on the length of
qualifying service these faculties are promoted to higher levels. Most teachers
aspire to become the Principal of an institution one day. Such posts are
reserved for those qualified, and on seniority. This is a UGC requirement. One
of these Principals then, being the most qualified, should be appointed as
Director, on seniority. But alas, victimisation is the new normal! Somebody
from outside the system has taken over as head of the Directorate, no matter in
what status. Now we hear that the structure of the hierarchy in the Directorate
too is in danger. It does not bode well for Higher Education in Nagaland.
It is now clear that the incumbent Head in charge of Higher
Education is not fit to be in the department any longer. He has destroyed the
department by mismanaging affairs to a great extent. It would be prudent on the
part of the Government to replace him with an educated and qualified person, a
person who can carry higher education to greater heights. Nagaland desperately
needs it!
