The Phek Town Chakhesang Students’ Union (PTCSU) has expressed its “deepest dismay” over multiple unresolved issues at Phek Government College, particularly the recent transfer and redeployment of Assistant Professors “without any reliever,” which the Union said will “seriously hamper the academic career of the students.”
In a statement issued on Saturday, the PTCSU warned that under the current situation, “many departments in the College will not be able to offer major course[s] which will seriously affect the quality education and overall progress of the College in the long run.”
Calling the situation “astounding,” the Union questioned how the authorities expect the college “to run with shortages of teachers when it actually need more teachers with the introduction of NEP 2020 – FYUGP.”
Citing specific examples, it said that “in some departments in Science stream, there will be just one teacher to man the whole department,” a staffing level that falls “much below the sanctioned post if the recent transfer takes effect.”
The PTCSU alleged that such administrative decisions suggest that “Institutions in the outer districts are of just secondary importance.”
The Union also criticized the Department of Higher Education for disregarding its own service rules, stating it was “shocking to note that the Department of Higher Education has scant regards towards its own service rule framed by itself which clearly states that ‘a teacher posted at particular place shall serve at least for five years before seeking transfer,’” but is instead “transferring out teachers even during probation period.”
In addition to the faculty shortage, the PTCSU said it is “extremely appalled by the pace of infrastructure developmental works in the College which are long overdue.” It pointed out that the staff quarters sanctioned in 2013 “has been left incomplete with only 50% of the work done even after 11 years.” Likewise, it noted that “the Academic upgradation classroom construction which was sanctioned in 2021 with a completion period of 24 months is still laying incomplete with not even half of the work done.”
Stating that it is a “stakeholder and custodian of students’ welfare,” the PTCSU said it “shall [leave] no stone unturned to resort to democratic means of action if the Authorities concern fail to address these simmering issues bestriding the College.”