In a reflective examination of the recently concluded triennial conference-cum-national seminar organized by the All Nagaland Government College Teachers’ Association (ANGCTA) under the theme, ‘Higher Education in Transition’ at Dimapur Government College on November 9 and 10, key takeaways throw light on the transformative discourse surrounding higher education in Nagaland.
The event’s focal point was Dr Vitsosie Vupru’s revelation of an impending policy by the state government aimed at regularizing the services of Contract Teachers with a decade of devoted service under the Department of Higher Education. Shared during a panel discussion on the “Current State of Higher Education in Nagaland and the Way Forward,” Dr Vupru’s announcement sparked cautious optimism. He revealed, “I hope this is not premature information, but our Government has set up a Manpower Rationalisation Committee (MRC), and this MRC has agreed in principle to regularize all those Contract Teachers who have completed 10 years.”
Addressing concerns about potential demotivation among educators in private institutions, Dr Vupru emphasized the need for the Career Advancement Scheme (CAS) to extend its coverage beyond government institutions. Ongoing discussions with private college Principals indicate a positive shift, with three or four private colleges considering the initiation of CAS.
Another critical discourse emerged around the absence of a clear roadmap for higher education in Nagaland. Dr Wati Imchen, Principal of Fazl Ali College, Mokokchung, lamented the lack of a formally adopted master plan. He called for an open-minded approach to conventional subjects and a comprehensive review of the recruitment system in light of the new education policy.
Dr Imchen also highlighted challenges in the implementation of the 4-year-undergraduate program by Nagaland University, emphasizing the need for improved coordination and communication between the University and the Higher Education Department. He underscored the necessity for more fieldwork to facilitate the smooth execution of the 4-year-undergraduate system in the state.
Although government-run colleges in Nagaland have exhibited commendable progress, Prof. GT Thong, the Pro Vice Chancellor of Nagaland University emphasized that the ambitious standards set by the National Education Policy (NEP)-2020 necessitate a substantial increase in funding for the higher education sector.
“The state government must enhance the budget of the (Higher Education) Department, which will help in recruiting more teachers and enhance classroom space in the existing colleges,” Prof. GT Thong asserted. He calls for a collaborative effort between the state government and academicians to chart a roadmap for establishing at least one state university.
While stating that the autonomy of more government colleges is possible with active government support and dedicated researchers, he said that the Kohima Science College can become a state university.
Emphasizing the pivotal role of research in knowledge generation, it was underscored that research could also serve as a means for institutions to generate financial resources. Prof Thong stressed the significance of obtaining a Ph.D., noting that out of approximately 600 teachers, only 151 possess Ph.D. degrees in the 17 government colleges. Urging the government to encourage and facilitate non-Ph.D. faculty members to acquire this qualification promptly, Prof Thong suggested it was crucial for advancing the academic landscape.
In terms of skilling, he said that colleges should tie up with skill training institutes to effectively train students in life skills.
Additionally, the ANGCTA also submitted a representation to the state minister for Higher Education. The representation outlined proposals such as increasing the retirement age of college teachers from 60 to 65 years, aligning promotions to Professor with the UGC regulations-2018, reinstating “advance increments” for teachers with Ph.D./MPhil and other higher qualifications, and introducing provisions for guest substitute teachers during extended faculty leaves.
Another separate representation was submitted to the Vice Chancellor, NU, specifically addressing concerns related to the curriculum framework for the implementation of the Four-year Undergraduate Programme (FYUGP).