FAC Students’ Union condemns ‘backdoor appointee’ tag on contractual teachers

FACSU supports regularization, calls for creation of more Assistant Professor posts

In the midst of the controversy over the regularization of contractual teachers into government service, the Fazl Ali College Students’ Union (FACSU) has expressed “deep shock and displeasure” at what it calls the “unjust mischaracterization” of long-serving contractual educators as “backdoor appointees.”

In a statement issued on Saturday, FACSU said that for years, “higher education institutions across Nagaland have suffered due to chronic faculty shortages caused by delays in the recruitment process.” It noted that in such challenging circumstances, “it was the so-called ‘contractual’ teachers who rose to the occasion, delivering quality education and shaping the lives of thousands of students.”

Highlighting the long-term commitment of these teachers, the union said many have “served diligently for over a decade, upholding high standards of teaching, and are qualified in alignment with UGC norms.”

The students’ union stated that the recent decision to absorb these qualified contractual teachers was “met with overwhelming support” from the student community at Fazl Ali College.

However, it raised concern over “the circulation of misinformation by certain non-primary groups,” warning that such campaigns “not only dismiss the invaluable contributions of contractual teachers but also pose a threat to the future of higher education in Nagaland.”

The union further emphasized that at a time when the implementation of the New Education Policy (NEP) and the introduction of postgraduate courses “necessitate the expertise of experienced educators,” the “undermining of such teachers is regressive and unacceptable.”

At the same time, FACSU acknowledged the aspirations of young graduates, adding that it “strongly feels that more posts of Assistant Professors should be created, which will benefit the students and hopefully create more opportunities for the aspirants as well.”
Reaffirming its position, FACSU said it “stands firmly in support of the absorption of contractual teachers,” warning that “any attempt to undermine this process risks derailing academic progress and jeopardizing the future of tens of thousands of students across the state.”

“As primary stakeholders in the education system, the students of Fazl Ali College will not tolerate actions that compromise their academic welfare,” it added.

MT