Editor,
As an educator in a deficit aided institution I write this out of concern for my students. The present 6th Semester students of all Colleges affiliated to NEHU, a Central university will appear for their exams on the 19th of May 2026 despite the fact that they have not as per the ordinances of NEHU fulfilled the minimum number of 90 teaching days.
Now, what I am more concerned about is the future of these 6th Semester students.
Despite the agitation of the Deficit College Teachers under the Banner of the MCTA the hurried implementation of NEP 2020 in the colleges by our Government and NEHU has created problems. Under the NEP 2020 many of the students were enrolled in the Four Year Undergraduate Programme.
These teachers who were far sighted pointed to a few problems namely: Non-availability of textbooks; the unavailability of the complete syllabus at the time of implementation; infrastructure problems (such as need for more classrooms due to variety of courses offered); shortage of teaching staff.
However, despite all these problems and more the NEHU went ahead and the government assured the public, particularly the youth and the parents of these youth that it was being done in the best interests of the future of the youth.
May I point out here the implementation of the NEP 2020. It began in the university and went down to the colleges while the schools of the state are yet to fully implement it. I wonder at the intelligence of our leaders who went forward with this for it implied building a house but not starting with the foundation but with roof.
Despite this foolishness keeping the interests of our students in mind we teachers went ahead knowing well the implications it would have. We taught with no textbooks depending on online texts and material that we could get access to. Till date the students are doing this. ( Parents ask your children).
The government did indeed create a few more teaching posts in a few colleges under a new grant in aid system known as People’s Grant in Aid Colleges. I wonder at this move of the government too because on one hand the government which had tried to implement the MEG on the pretext of bring uniformity but on the other hand was creating another category of grant in aid to the already existing varieties i.e. deficit, adhoc and lump sum grant in aid systems. On this issue particularly People’s College I will write another letter.
However, coming back to our dear students. Those 6th semester students who sat for PG CUET can get themselves enrolled for a PG programme in any university . What about those 6th semester students who did not sit for the PG CUET. There exists two possibilities
If you don’t desire to continue your studies which is why you did not sit for PG CUET you leave with a Degree in simple major not a Degree in Honours. Implications of this and be far sighted dear students. If you leave with this degree and enter the job market will you feel you are in an advantageous position in comparison with those that complete the 4th year and get a Honours Degree or an Honours Degree with Research? The answer is NO.
If you wish to continue your 4th year because you enrolled yourselves during admission to a Four-Year Undergraduate Programme (FYUP) and not a Three-Year Undergraduate Programme you can in the 4th year (7th and 8th semesters) opt for one of the two: Honours Degree or Honours with Research Degree.
Now the question remains how many colleges are offering these two 4th year courses. Degree with Honours perhaps a few colleges but with the problems of class rooms, teachers, syllabus and textbooks colleges are to think and rethink seriously because these are students not guinea pigs.
The second course in 4th year is Honours with Research. This course has certain clauses, such as students must score 75 percent in aggregate.
Further since it Honours with Research at least TWO teachers of that Department must have PhD and to guide their students they must have 2 years guiding experience. Now the problem is not all Departments in colleges have teachers with a PhD Degree and those that do NEHU has not recognised them as Co-Supervisors so they do not have the UGC mandate of 2 years supervision/guiding experience.
Therefore, this Honours with Research is not an option available to students though it is under the FYUP. The only available option that is available is Degree with Honours. But, the problem that exists at this moment is if our students enroll in the 4th semester and continue further studies they can enroll in a 1 year PG programme. Currently, NEHU runs a 2 year PG programme and there is no 1 year PG programme. So I beg to ask NEHU if it has made provisions of setting aside seats for students who complete the 4th year and join NEHU ( Lateral entry system) or is NEHU going to simultaneously run a separate 2 year and 1 year PG programme.
Another clarification that I seek on behalf of the students from NEHU is can students opt for 4th year with back papers? If yes, what if students cannot clear the 4th year will they be given a Degree with Simple Major if they clear all their back papers till the 3rd year (5th and 6th Sem), or a Diploma if they clear all back papers till their 2nd year (3rd and 4th Sem) or a certificate if they clear all back papers of the 1st year (1st and 2nd Sem). We need clarity. Can NEHU resolve all these issues and problems immediately before the results of the 6th Semester is declared especially at this juncture where the VC is absent , there is no Academic Council and the Director of CDC who now is moving into the realm of politics.
Now coming back to the Government particularly our Chief Minister who accords priority to the Education sector and cares for our Youth. Can you because it was at your insistence that we should go forward and compete with the rest of India that NEP 2020 was hurriedly implemented. Can you ensure ALL colleges have adequate class rooms and ALL colleges have required teachers to teach this 4th Year. Education is part of the welfare state. Can you ensure all Colleges irrespective of their being Government, Deficit, Adhoc, Lump Sum or People’s College have these teachers and classrooms. Can we expect equity and no discrimination? If you fail to act, then it proves that this Government makes hollow claims.
Parents I urge upon each one of you because many of us unlike the elite class cannot send our students to study outside the state. Therefore, if you care for your children it is not late to react. Maybe at that point of our agitation and resistance you did not understand or we failed to make you understand but NOW please try to understand because your children are our children too.
A Basaiawmoit
via email
