The Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) has urged the Nagaland Government to enact a Nagaland Non-Government Educational Institutions (Regulation of Fees) Act to regulate fee structures in private educational institutions and safeguard the interests of students, parents, teachers and educational institutions.

In a representation, issued by NSF President, Mteisuding and Education Committee Convenor and NSF Editor, Pithungo Shitio and submitted to the Chief Secretary, the Federation acknowledged the contribution of private institutions in delivering quality education and achieving commendable academic results. However, it stressed the need for greater oversight over the recognition, establishment and functioning of such institutions to ensure transparency, accountability and sustainable growth.

Following what it described as an exhaustive study, the NSF said the State Government should constitute a regulatory framework to address issues related to fee structures, admissions and the welfare of teachers.

The Federation stated that the proposed legislation should regulate fees and admissions in private and professional educational institutions to prevent arbitrary fee hikes and protect students and parents from harassment.

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It also called for measures to regulate the salaries of teachers employed in private institutions, noting that many are often deprived of fair remuneration.

According to the NSF, any fee regulation policy should take into account several factors, including the location of the institution, available infrastructure, classes and courses offered, qualifications of teaching and non-teaching staff, salary structures and annual increments, expenditure incurred per student in relation to the institution’s total income, and other relevant parameters.

The Federation emphasised that the proposed policy should be formulated after consulting all stakeholders so that it benefits both educational institutions and the wider public.

The NSF has urged the State Government to constitute a High-Powered Committee within one month of receiving the representation to formulate the modalities for the proposed Nagaland Non-Government Educational Institutions (Regulation of Fees) Act; prepare a comprehensive policy within three months; and enact and implement the proposed legislation within six months.