ANCSU raises long-pending student issues; seeks government action

Morung Express News
Kohima | November 15

The All Nagaland College Students’ Union (ANCSU) on Saturday flagged several long-pending issues affecting students and criticised the state government for its inaction despite repeated representations over the years.

Addressing the media at its office at Naga Solidarity Park, ANCSU president Tenyesinlo Bukh once again raised concerns over the “mushrooming” of coaching institutes in the state. Bukh said the union had written to the government in 2021, 2024 and 2025 urging it to streamline and regulate the growing number of coaching centres in Nagaland.

While acknowledging the valuable services provided by these institutes, especially with more students preparing for competitive examinations, the union maintained that they should function under a recognised authority or regulatory framework to ensure proper monitoring and accountability.

Shortage of bus drivers

The union also expressed concern over the lack of bus drivers in many government colleges despite the provision of buses by the state government. Bukh said the absence of appointed drivers has compelled several colleges to hire private drivers, leading to an increase in fees and causing hardship to students, many from economically weaker backgrounds.

ANCSU said it re-submitted a representation on March 25, 2025 but has not received any response. It appealed for the immediate appointment of bus drivers through a proper recruitment process and called for additional bus services for government colleges and polytechnic institutes.

Appointment of Higher Education Director

Another concern raised by the union was the appointment of the Director of Higher Education, with the department currently functioning under an “ex-officio” director. In a letter to the government on September 4, 2024, ANCSU demanded that the post should not be filled through political appointments but strictly as per the Nagaland Higher Education Service Rules, 2015.

Reiterating its stand, the union said the director’s post must be filled on a merit-cum-seniority basis from among eligible Additional Directors or Principals. It clarified that it was not opposed to any individual currently holding the position but to the policy of appointment outside the service rules.

The practice, ANCSU said, demoralises officers and staff and affects teaching faculties, ultimately impacting students. It urged the government to appoint a full-fledged director as per service rules.

Career opportunities for polytechnic students

Referring to its representation dated October 24, 2025, the union urged the government to address issues related to career opportunities for diploma students. It demanded that the state maintain a 60:40 recruitment ratio between engineering degree graduates and diploma holders for the post of Junior Engineer.

The union also called for a review of the NPSC eligibility age criteria, noting that diploma students typically complete their courses by 19 but are forced to wait two more years before they can appear for the exam, which it said discourages students and restricts their opportunities.

On the scholarship nodal cell

ANCSU also reminded the government of its June 2019 Cabinet approval for creating a dedicated scholarship nodal cell. Bukh said the union submitted a reminder on August 15, 2025, after which a meeting was held on September 10 and resolutions were adopted to strengthen the cell.

The union urged implementing agencies to adhere to the resolutions, including deputing an official to the Higher Education Department and providing all scholarship guidelines in both hard and soft copies. It said successful models in Mizoram and Meghalaya show that a dedicated nodal cell can prevent delays and miscommunication in scholarship disbursal.

Meanwhile, the change of guard for the 2025–2027 tenure was carried out, with Kivika Yeptho taking over as ANCSU president.