THURSDAY, APRIL 24, 2025
On the Recent Controversy of Contractual Assistant Professors and Librarians
Published on Apr 21, 2025
By EMN
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- So much has been raised on the issue from both sides of the fence, and a lot of bitterness splattered all over. This controversy is solely the creation of the Department of Higher Education (DHE), Government of Nagaland.
- The Government of India conducted a massive exercise to upgrade the educational landscape of the country by bringing in the much-needed reforms. To cope up, it was expected of the states to expand their infrastructure and manpower accordingly. The DHE should have planned out these exercises by ensuring that faculty positions were immediately in place before implementation of the NEP 2020. However, it appears from the interview of Mr Imna Along, the concerned Minister, that many of the contractual faculties were appointed prior to 2016. This was long before the NEP 2020. There is something seriously amiss here. There was not much pressure then, as there is now. Then why were those Assistant Professors and Librarians appointed, out of the way, on contract? If there was shortage then, some posts should have been created and given for recruitment. It is understood that the NPSC does not sit regularly to recruit teachers, as the Commission is also busy for the numerous departments of the state. It would also depend on the requisitioning of posts to the Commission. Even if the NPSC sits once a year for Higher Education, then all is well. However, it appears that the DHE has been sleeping on the files, or, there were no posts. If there were no posts, the DHE was not serious in pursuing the matter. It is a fact, most unfortunately, that we have greatly compromised education at all levels in Nagaland.
- If there is requirement, but no sanctioned posts exist, the Government may recruit Guest/Contractual faculties out of the Recurring Grants, which is probably being done; similarly for existing sanctioned posts that could not be sent to the NPSC in time. However, the Guest/Contractual faculty positions aimed to be filled MUST BE ADVERTISED in all possible media, including the Directorate website. Appointments should be made by selecting the best through formal interviews at the department level. The appointments have to be on semester basis and must clearly spell out the condition that “The appointment shall be terminated at the end of the semester, or as and when the post is filled by a regular employee”. The employee selected on contract may continue for another semester with a break in service, and further, till the post is filled by a regular faculty. This condition will ensure that those who take up these posts will be aware of what the future holds for them. Thus, the contract employees will be on the lookout for other opportunities. It is highly doubtful if the DHE advertised the positions and recruited the contract faculties in question by following procedures. There is irritation for the term “Backdoor Appointment”, but the present case is a sad fact. No rules were followed for recruitment. With the existence of the NPSC, all faculty positions must be widely advertised, so as to inform all interested of the opportunities available, and be filled solely on merit; after all, we are dealing with the future generation. There is no other way. No executive authority can recruit on their whims and fancies; there is no constitutional provision, than the above, for the same.
- It is being contested that the existing contractual faculties are very experienced, which has no merit, whatsoever. No one was ever born with all the experience of the world. Everyone starts from scratch, and gains experience along the way. Another matter being discussed is the low salary package of the contractual faculties, and lack of benefits that regular faculties enjoy. The salary, is one of the terms of the contract. All faculties on contract accepted the salary and the lack of benefits, so why should there be emotional outpouring on the matter at all. By accepting a contract, an employee is bound to perform all tasks assigned, even those at par with regular employees. When the NPSC advertises these posts, the contractual faculties must apply and try to secure stable positions. As far as academic excellence in the government institutions is concerned, validly recruit the best and we shall see excellence like never before.
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- Dr. GT Thong
- (Former Senior Professor, Nagaland University)
Nagaland Districts
