Pettigrew College woefully understaffed
Source: The Sangai Express / Mungchan Zimik

Ukhrul, September 19 2025: Pettigrew College in Ukhrul, established in 1965, is grappling with a severe shortage of teaching faculty and inadequate infrastructure, significantly disrupting its academic session.

In this connection, a team of Tangkhul Katamnao Saklong (TKS) and Hun-phun Katamnao Long (HKL) conducted a surprise inspection to assess the ground situation.

They inspected the ongoing construction of an academic block, boys' and girls' hostels, and other facilities.

Speaking to the media, TKS president Ramreichan Keishing expressed dissatisfaction with the contractors' negligence, noting that the substandard work has adversely affected the college's academic environment.

He also said that the significant delays in project completion, with the academic block and hostels lagging over two years behind their scheduled completion date, have severely disrupted regular academic activities.

The lone Government college in the region has been running without adequate teaching and non teaching staff, he said.

Ramreichan stated that the college has 12 departments and should have at least 84 teaching staff.

However, only 51 teaching staff, including 8 contractual staff, are currently posted, he said and maintained that the college is engaging 9 Assistant Professors on a contractual basis to mitigate the shortage and ensure uninterrupted classes.

Regarding non-teaching staff, the sanctioned posts are 28, but only 3 staff members are currently posted, he said.

TKS had previously submitted a memorandum to the Education Minister, requesting the introduction of new streams, including BCA, BBA, and Commerce, as well as the inclusion of Tangkhul subject and reinstatement of Philosophy in the college.

However, these requests are yet to be implemented, he said.

Furthermore, he noted that the lab equipment and other facilities of the college are outdated and of poor quality.

Given the college's remote location, approximately 8 km from the main town, students face significant transportation challenges, he said and urged the relevant authorities to operate a dedicated bus for the students of Pettigrew College.

The Tangkhul students' body has sought immediate intervention of the Governor and the Chief Secretary to inspect the ongoing construction projects during their visit to Ukhrul for the North East NSS programme at Pettigrew College, scheduled from September 24 onwards, to verify the quality of work.

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