Mounting staff cuts and stalled growth at Zunheboto Government College have sparked a public outcry, with Sumi Hoho issuing a pointed open representation to Nagaland’s Higher Education Minister and warning of “firm and democratic” action if the situation persists.
Sumi Hoho’s warning shot
Sumi Hoho, representing the people of Zunheboto, sent an open representation on 7 August to Higher Education Minister Shri Temjen Imna Along, alleging “continued indifference” toward the district’s only government Arts college. The group recalled a 16 May representation seeking the revocation of faculty attachment orders and noted that yet another Assistant Professor from the History Department had since been attached elsewhere.
The letter stressed that Zunheboto has no Government Science or Commerce colleges. It argued the lone Arts college, already stretched by limited faculty and high enrolment, is being weakened while other institutions are strengthened.
Asking whether the Department intends to “shut down Zunheboto Government College altogether,” the representation described a pattern of “step‑motherly treatment” that clashes with verbal assurances from the Minister’s office and senior officials.
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Calls for urgent fixes on campus
At the Zunheboto District Planning and Development Board meeting on 7 August, chaired by Deputy Commissioner and DPDB Vice‑Chairman Dharam Raj, IAS, the college laid out plans for growth. Proposals included starting a Sociology Department, Education Honours, an Integrated B.Ed. course, and a Science stream.
Principal Dr R. Bendangtemjen said none of this can begin without appointments. “Once teachers are appointed, students will eventually come and enrol,” he stated, also urging help to ensure fifth‑semester students complete the 60‑hour internship required under the Four‑Year Undergraduate Programme.
Infrastructure woes deepen the strain. Dr Bendangtemjen flagged the poor condition of the college road, which turns into ponds and makes access difficult for students and teachers. This leads to delays, absences, and longer, unsafe routes in bad weather—heavy burdens for a campus already short on staff and struggling to maintain classes.
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District response and equity concerns
Sumi Hoho President Dr Vihuto Asumi told the board that frequent attachments are hollowing out the college. The 16 May appeal brought no relief, he said, and another transfer followed on 30 July. He reported three faculty members have already been moved. Two from History and one from Education, calling the pattern discriminatory.
Most students come from underprivileged backgrounds and cannot afford to study elsewhere, he added, raising the stakes for families relying on the district’s only government Arts college.
Deputy Commissioner Dharam Raj assured that steps would be taken to end the attachment practice and induct more qualified teachers through merit‑based appointments. He cautioned against blaming political leaders alone and urged attention to grassroots issues. “Public service should not be deprived or compromised. If one cannot fulfil their duties, they have every right to resign. They cannot play with the lives of our students,” he said.
Accreditation can wait, he added, as the quality of education is the immediate priority. Teachers going on study leave despite limited faculty, he argued, is unfair to students.
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Sumi Hoho demanded the immediate revocation of all attachment orders, framing the issue as one of dignity, equality, and justice for a district that feels sidelined. The group warned that if the treatment continues, the people of Zunheboto will act to defend their educational rights and hold the Department accountable.
