NSSB viva marks row: Government calls for NSSB viva voice, ignores NSF call for cut in marks percentage

ARENJUNGLA KICHU | 30 MARCH, MOKOKCHUNG

Since the inception of the Nagaland Staff Selection Board (NSSB), the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) has urged the State government to either eliminate the interview system or reduce the weightage in marks given to the viva-voce in the Nagaland Staff Selection Board (NSSB) examination.

The federation demanded that the viva voice score, which is currently at 12.5%, be reduced to 5%. According to the federation, students are “apprehensive” that 12.5 percent of the marks are allocated for viva-voice, or interview.

In a recent press conference, the federation reiterated their demand and stated that if the government does not listen to the students’ demand, the federation may resort to a “viva voice boycott.”

However, on the evening of 29 March, the government announced the skill test results and notified qualified candidates that the viva voice would begin on 16 April, 2023 while the notification made no reference to the NSF’s proposal.

Speaking to Mokokchung Times, Ayen Chang, an aspirant, viewed that the viva marks should be reduced to 5% as the NSF demands, because “things get adulterated at this stage” and one cannot completely trust the system.

Commenting on how the government ignored the NSF’s request, Chang said, “NSF represents the voice of the student community. If the government fails to listen to them or reach a certain midpoint, the government fails every student,” she stated.

“In line with central SSC, personal interview is not necessary for class III posts and below,” said Toshi Longkumer, another aspirant.

“My theory marks are okay. Having more exams just gives more space for unfair means,” Along Kichu, another aspirant, added.

Tungoe, another aspirant, believes that there may be a chance that interviews are a loophole that can be used as a political tool.

“Although various steps are taken to tackle corruption, it remains a major threat. And in viva the right to information act is valid but up to what extent? So in order to tackle such loopholes, reduction of marks or complete removal of viva remains the best option as in the case of SSC or other group B and C exams in most of the states under the Union of India,” Tungoe added.

“Interview marks up to 5% are okay for me. Job suitability test is always an integral part of any recruitment. Unless the mark is too significant I don’t have issues with the minimum mark allocation for the interview,” Kath, another candidate shared.

Meanwhile, Imchen, another candidate, expressed that since he did not do ‘very well’ in his written and practical exams, viva is his only hope.

As aspirants expressed their views, Nungdokyanger, former president of the Ao Students’ Conference (AKM), stated that the AKM previously made a collective decision with the NSF and that, after careful consideration, the AKM has been supporting the NSF’s proposal.

“Because we believe that favoritism occurs during interviews, we have supported the NSF’s boycott call,” the former president stated.

Lanutoshi, the newly inducted president of the Ao Students’ Conference (AKM), also stated that viva voices are vulnerable to manipulation and that he personally supports the NSF call. He did, however, note that the AKM as a body has yet to deliberate on the issue while they wait for NSF to reach out for further course of action.

Meanwhile, ENSF president Chingmak Chang preferred not to comment on the issue.

NSF President Kegwayhun Tep, while expressing his disappointment with the government for not recognizing the student community’s aspirations, told Mokokchung Times that a meeting has been set for March 31 and that he would like to remark on the issue only after the meeting.

Mokokchung Times