DESAM sets deadline for appointing regular principals
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, April 08 2022: While calling for putting an end to the trend of appointing principal in-charges for government colleges in the state, Democratic Students' Alliance of Manipur (DESAM) has demanded the government to commence the process for appointing regular principals in all government colleges of Manipur within 100 hours, starting from 6pm Friday.

Addressing a press meet at its office here on Friday, DESAM president Leishangthem Lamyanba termed as regrettable of the new government to continue the trend of appointing principal in-charges just after coming to power.

He then demanded immediate withdrawal of an order (1/15/2022-HTE (PRIN) issued by the Secretariat of Higher and Technical Education Department notifying appointment of principal in-charge for 5 colleges.

Questioning why the government is unable to stop appointing principal in-charges in higher education after announcing to implement UGC 2018 norms, Lamyanba reasoned that if appointing a regular principal is difficult, a vice principal could be appointed.

Appointing a principal in-charge and providing the person with 7th pay when the post does not even exist in UGC 2018 regulations, is simply wastage of public money.

DESAM has always been urging for dissolving this post from the entirety of Manipur, he iterated.

Lamyanba continued: "According to the order, of the 5 colleges, the principal in-charge appointed for Hindi Teachers' Training College, which is a professional college for Teacher Education under NCTE, is a professor of Botany subject.

Despite being aware that it is against NCTE norms, the appointment by the Secretariat feels as if the education minister is out to embarrass the new government.

The students of the college had only recently protested after the recognition of Teacher Education College was repeatedly cancelled due to appointment of principal in-charge and guest faculty.

"Meanwhile, MPSC had assured of appointing a regular principle from eligible professors through the Career Advancement Scheme (CAS) .

However, in the case of NG College, a person, who was not even a professor, was appointed as the principal in-charge.

DESAM cannot accept this move, especially as there is no post for principal in-charge under UGC Regulation 2018, as stated above," he said.

Commenting on the issuance of the order amidst the education minister's appeal to all not to make "requests"; Lamyanba remarked that the order is an indicative of fulfilment of "requests" being made.

In response to DESAM's demand for appointment of regular principal, the previous government appointed 13 regular principals out of the demand for 25 in 2017, which is highly appreciated.

However, the failure to appoint the remaining was attributed to lack of eligible teachers.

In 2018, another recruitment drive for the remaining 13 regular principal was carried out, of which 5 were selected.

Thus, DESAM's dream of having regular principals in all colleges continues to remain a dream, he stated.

"Although the government implemented UGC Regulation 2018 since July 3 last year, it is still unable to appoint regular principals till date, which is a failure on its part.

As such, DESAM submitted a memorandum to the CM in the same month and another to the then education minister on July 24.The government gave its assurances citing the presence of eligible principals in colleges and appointment them through MPSC.

"Later, on February 10 this year, the government issued an order promoting 8 teachers to professorship, thereby indicating the presence of adequate number of eligible professors who could be appointed as regular principals.

The teachers who have been appointed as principal in-charges despite failing to meet the RR would definitely not like the post if they are told to forfeit the 7th pay scale while keeping the post," he remarked.

He then said that the students were deprived of their right to education when the teachers of the state protested for implementation of 7th pay under UGC Regulation 2018.As such, DESAM will not tolerate the violation of regulations by some teachers and the government after having received the 7th pay.

Contending that DESAM will always stand for quality education, Lamyanba demanded the government to conduct a recruitment drive through MPSC for the post of regular principals, while reappointing the senior teachers appointed as principal in-charge to the post of vice-principal within 100 hours.

He then cautioned of launching intense agitations if the above demands are not fulfilled within the given time limit.

Comment