The Combined Technical Association of Nagaland (CTAN) and the Nagaland NET Qualified Forum (NNQF) organised a public dialogue in Kohima on Saturday to discuss concerns surrounding the irregular recruitment process and non-requisition of 147 assistant professors and librarian posts under the state’s Higher Education department.
Young civil services aspirants, civil society members, students and people from academic and social backgrounds participated in the event.
Renowned peace activist Niketu Iralu highlighted that problems, difficulties and conflicts are meant to change people and take them forward instead of fragmenting and making each other hate.
On the current movement of transparency and accountability started by CTAN and NNQF, Iralu said that they have done the right thing calling for and urging public to share their views. The activist highlighted that the prolonged protest showed that there is deep concern, frustration, bitterness and anger however he also maintained that both sides are serving a vital purpose. He added that he has not grasped the many interlinked details of the problems that have accumulated so dangerously and which have brought up this initiative by the younger generation but he believed there is an urgent need for the state government and society to ponder on.
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NNQF core member Lereteu Khutsoh highlighted the history of the ongoing protest which began in 2018 against the non-advertisement of 68 assistant professor and librarian posts.
“The prolonged protest showed there is deep concern, frustration, bitterness and outraged anger in those who conducted the most demanding, costly protest and in those who questioned or opposed it,” he said.
Social activist Kahuto Chishi cited injustices in Naga society, which are brought about by the complexities of Nagaland’s diverse tribal composition. He expressed on the state government to initiate requisition of said posts to NPSC and further suggested that court intervention could be the only path forward.
Retired professor and former Nagaland University pro vice chancellor, GT Thong talked about the shortage of teachers in government colleges. He advocated for appointing guest lecturers transparently while waiting for the Nagaland Public Service Commission (NPSC) to process recruitment.
Further into the discussion, Thong questioned the qualifications of the current minister overseeing higher education department and called for a qualified elected representative to lead the department. He emphasised the importance of movements such as this in pushing for clean governance.
Social activist Robert Solo voiced support for the movement, describing it as “a small tablet to heal Nagaland”. While warning the government not to provoke the youth, he said even if requisition is done, the dialogue- the conversation should go beyond that.
CTAN convenor Meshenlo Kath highlighted the inconsistencies in the government’s RTI replies on the number of sanctioned posts. He alleged that there was political interference in NPSC affairs.
NNQF core member Dr. Videkhono Yhokha raised concerns over the CESE marking system which assigns 40% weightage to academic records, 45% to written exams, and 15% to interviews. She said there were disparities in academic scores and bias in interviews. She further proposed a revised formula with 70% for written exams, 20% for academics, and 10% for interviews.
At the end of the public dialogue, participants signed a petition calling upon the government to ensure transparency, uphold equal opportunity, and immediately requisition the 147 assistant professors and librarian posts to the NPSC.
The discussion was moderated by R Lungleng from the Lungleng Show.
