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Students irked by teachers’ decision |
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KOHIMA, MAR 23 (EMN): Entering its 6th day of agitation today, PGSU (NUCK) made its stance clear that unless a concrete and
permanent solution is arrived at over the Nagaland University crisis for the welfare of the students, it would continue with the closure of NU office besides boycotting classes.
The decision had been made despite NUTA’s willingness to temporarily resume classes on Monday. NUTA’s action to resume classes reportedly came after the students in SASARD Campus locked up the teachers in the classroom sometime last week during the ongoing PGSU agitation.
CN Moe, Magazine Secretary of PGSU (NUCK) pointed out this morning that “temporary means another agitation might start anytime again”. She expressed displeasure that the teachers’ association had never communicated to the students in written form while informing that it is only through newspaper reports that they find out about issues affecting the students.
The Union asserted that if NUTA wants to go for agitation in the near future, “they have to seek the consent of the students because, ultimately students are the sufferers.”
“They have to know the damage done to the students” she stated adding “we are graduating in September this year but if this continues, our careers are at stake.”
The Union also opined that there is no proper coordination within the NUTA in various campuses of the University and maintained that they do not represent the whole teaching staff. “They themselves are confused” the Union said while referring to their cause of agitation which was first about some financial problem and now the demand to revoke the suspension of the three teachers
Meanwhile, the students once again voiced resentment over the lack of response from the Vice Chancellor of University.
“How can he do this? It shows he is also incapable of handling the crisis,” the students stated.
However, talking to Eastern Mirror over the phone, the Vice Chancellor maintained that “I’ve clarified all the points 10 days back when I met with the Post Graduate Students”. Stating that “we’re all trying to solve the issue” he reminded of the Enquiry Committee that has been set up to look into the issue of suspension. He emphasized that “it is a government procedure” and as far as the University is concerned, he held that SASARD and Lumami campuses are running smoothly.
On the ongoing agitation by the PGSU (NUCK), Prof. Kannan was of the opinion that “it’s between them (students) and the teachers” and strictly maintained that his stance does not come into it. He said that “I have done my part.”
“I appreciate what the students are doing, they have a valid point but ‘it’s not fair to close down the administration because it’s going to affect them also,” the Vice Chancellor said adding “It’s the teachers who have to take care of the issue.”
On the other hand, the District Administration had yesterday and today requested the students to withdraw their agitation on closure of the University Office stating it is illegal but the PGSU (NUCK) seemed determined to carry on with the strike unless the crisis is resolved.
NUTA appeals
Facing flak, the Nagaland University Teachers’ Association today appealed to the students and society to cooperate with the teachers to bring accountability and transparency into the University as per the Central University system.
The NUTA has been writing on all anomalies in the University to higher authorities and bringing these issues for public scrutiny as the University is a Public Authority, the Association stated in a press release issued by its CEC. It also said that standing up for the good of the University has got 8 teachers, who are also NUTA executives, suspended in 2008 and the VC repeated the same harassment in November 2009, on the three NUTA leaders.
The CEC NUTA further stated that the decision for temporary suspension of Academic closure has been taken in view of the fact that the illegal suspensions are yet to be revoked but the teachers have decided to resume classes and wait for the decision of the Visitor, within the stipulated time, only in the interest of the student community.
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