Calls for inclusion of MPhil/PhD degree, publications & teaching experience as part of academic performance
Dimapur, August 13 (MExN): The Nagaland NET Qualified Forum (NNQF) has reiterated its demand for modifying the rules pertaining to the 40% weightage given to academic marks as a selection criterion in the Common Educational Service Examination (CESE).
The forum also demanded inclusion of MPhil/PhD degree, academic publications in peer-reviewed journals and teaching experience as part of academic performance.
In an open letter to the Nagaland Minister for Higher Education, Temjen Imna Along, the NNQF reminded him of representation and discussion regarding the issue on September 2022.
Accordingly, the forum reiterated that the 40% weightage given to academic marks has put many candidates at a disadvantage, particularly those from the annual system and who are on the verge of becoming overage with regard to the CESE.
The other selection criteria are 45% for written examination and 15% for interview.
To justify its demand, the NNQF highlighted that certain subset of aspirants are at disadvantage as they had been denied the right to equal opportunity for over the years as many posts were not advertised and recruitment took place via channels other than the CESE, NPSC.
They also compete with the younger batches of the semester system with significant scoring differences, it said.
The NNQF further pointed out that many universities/colleges may not be as generous as others in terms of marking despite the good quality education imparted and their high ranking status amongst institutions across the country.
‘This puts students from good institutions with a lesser scoring range at a disadvantage and the 40% mark weightage on academic marks does not aid to the open and fair aspect of the exam,’ it contended.
The forum pointed out that the current mark distribution system omits points that can be scored by candidates who are/had been actively engaged with the academia post the attainment of their Master’s degree.
A vast assortment of accomplishments such as MPhil/PhD degree, publication of research papers in peer reviewed journals, teaching experience, etc are pertinent to teaching in higher education are being presently excluded from the points scored in academic performance, it highlighted.
This leaves candidates who are committed and dedicated to the academia at a very severe disadvantage, it added. The NNQF has been appealing to concerned departments for a revision of the recruitment criteria (the 40% weightage on academic marks) and have often been directed to appeal to higher authorities. Hence, we are approaching you competent authority to consider the issue and intervene for a more egalitarian approach towards the CESE, it urged the Minister.
On contractual appointments
Meanwhile, the NNQF further stated that some appointments that have not gone through the CESE, NPSC are being challenged in court periodically. Based on the Office Memorandum (dated June 6th, 2016) appointments on contractual basis were banned, however, the contractual appointments continue to take place, it said.
Accordingly, in its judgement and order dated August 3, 2018, the Guwahati High Court, Kohima Bench, stated that “any appointment without advertisement and the regularisation of (such posts) is not only unconstitutional but null and void,” the forum said.
Similarly, the Supreme Court Judgement on the Uma Devi case in 2006, clarified that regularisation cannot be a mode of appointment, it maintained.
The apex court also mentioned that when a “temporary/ad-hoc/contractual post continues for long it presumes the need and warrant for regular posts through procedures of direct recruitment,” it added.
At the backdrop of all these orders, the NNQF argued that regularisation of the contractual posts will only be a reflection of disrespect to the existing law and a further violation of the rights of aspirants and equality.
“Therefore, we hope and pray that the regularisation of such appointments do not take place,” it added.
