Nagaland Government’s Ambitious Move Sparks Outrage: Faculty Regularisation Move Overturned Amid Protests

Nagaland Government’s Attempt to Regularise Contractual Faculty Sparks Uproar, Tribulations

In a move that has sparked intense debate and widespread backlash, the Nagaland government recently attempted to regularise 147 contractual assistant professors and librarians, only to retract the decision just 48 hours later. The directive, issued by the chief secretary on April 8, 2025, aimed to absorb these faculty members into regular posts in various government colleges. Backed by the Minister of Higher Education and Tourism, the order was justified as a measure "in the interest of public service." However, this decision has reignited long-standing concerns over recruitment transparency, institutional integrity, and fairness in the higher education system.

The move has come under fire from various quarters, with several student unions, academic forums, and aspirant groups expressing criticism. The Dimapur Government College Students’ Council, for instance, initially voiced support, highlighting the dedication of the absorbed faculty, many of whom have been serving under challenging conditions for years. The council praised their unwavering commitment, particularly as the college prepares to implement the Four-Year Undergraduate Programme (FYUGP). Similar sentiments were echoed by other student unions, including the Sao Chang College Students’ Union and the Zunheboto Government College Students’ Union, which acknowledged the significant contribution of the contractual teachers in keeping departments functional despite faculty shortages.

However, sharp criticism has been registered from other corners, painting the regularisation move as a glaring bypassing of fair recruitment procedures. The Dimapur Naga Students’ Union (DNSU) condemned the appointments as a direct affront to the rights of qualified Naga youths who have been preparing for recruitment through the Nagaland Public Service Commission (NPSC). The DNSU further warned that such actions imperil the integrity of public recruitment institutions. The Naga Research Scholars’ Forum Shillong (NRSFS) also expressed concern, describing the move as a "harsh blow" to hardworking candidates, many of whom are NET and PhD holders preparing for the Common Educational Services Examination (CESE).

In the face of mounting criticism, the Nagaland government hastily retracted the decision, issuing a fresh circular on April 10 that rendered the original order "null and void until further notice." The directive instructed college principals to halt administrative changes related to the regularisation. As the controversy simmers down, it remains to be seen how this impasse will be resolved. The episode has reignited an age-old debate over the recruitment processes in Nagaland’s higher education sector, and whether integrity and transparency can ever be restored.

The move has even sparked an online campaign by the Nagaland NET Qualified Forum, with a social media poster demanding fair, merit-based appointments that protect the aspirations of academically qualified youth across the state. As the agenda of "merit" versus "backdoor politics" continues to polarise opinion, it is clear that many in Nagaland’s educational community are eagerly watching for some respite from these tribulations.

Original Source: https://assamtribune.com/north-east/nagaland-govts-faculty-regularisation-sparks-outcry-order-withdrawn-1573966
Category : North East,Featured
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Publish Date: 2025-04-11 18:23:00