Yiepetso Wezah
Mission Colony, T. Chikri, Pfutsero Town
Nagaland State Government had denied the Post-Matric Scholarship to theological student since 2015. When asked about the reason from the Higher Education Department, it is said that theological colleges are not under All India Survey of Higher Education (AISHE). For which the Central Government is not granting scholarship to theological students from Nagaland. This Post-Matric Scholarship is given through Minority Commission under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs. The Central Government grants 90% and State Government adds only 10% towards it. The other North East States like Meghalaya and Manipur still provide Post Matric Scholarship to theological students, who are studying under Senate of Serampore College (University). The students who are studying in Nagaland and outside Nagaland State are getting Rs. 9,000/- to Rs. 11,000/- per academic year under Minority Scholarship even today. But Nagaland Government has denied scholarship to theological students. Why am I questioning this? I have seen many theological students struggling so hard to pursue their theological studies, who would be serving God and the entire society. They must be given financial assistance.
Let us reason together the contributions of theological graduates. They make significant contribution toward the state and society in spite of many weaknesses. A few examples can be cited here.
1. They help people to have a better relationship with their Creator, God and people. They are indeed, peace makers in the name of Jesus Christ. They mend broken relationships in the families, between clans, villages and tribes. They advocate peaceful co-existence. Their works have a great impact in the life of individuals and society.
2. The church promotes quality education in the state. The church gives priority to personality development of the students apart from imparting secular education. Look at the result of church run schools and colleges, they do much better than government run schools and colleges.
3. They help the State Government in eradicating social evils such as corruption, drug and alcoholic addictions. We all have witnessed church active involvement in Clean Election Movement. If there was no such movement we might have witnessed many horrors. Liquor prohibition was spear-headed by the Church leaders. Though there are debates about the merits and demerits of it, the fact is that it has controlled the free flow of liquors and save many precious lives from the destruction of liquors. The church creates a lot of awareness about the danger of human trafficking and flesh trade. Considering all these, the church leaders physically, mentally and spiritually involve in nation building.
4. The Church leaders give significant contributions in economic development. They do not provide financial assistance, but they advocate sustainable development. They teach people to do self-reliance projects and also create awareness on the importance of organic cultivation. Indeed, it is the church that has helped our people to become economically more sustainable.
5. In the context of ecological crisis and climate change, it is the church which creates a lot of awareness on preservation and conservation of forests, flora and fauna. The church physically involve in tree plantation. It is the church leaders who advocate sustainable and eco-friendly development, which had a great impact in the whole world.
If the State Government acknowledges the contributions of the Church leaders, who had received Post-Matric Scholarship and are serving people today. So the present theological students should also be given scholarship as they will be the church leaders tomorrow. They will contribute more to the welfare of the State. When other North East States are giving Post-Matric Scholarship to their theological students, what is there that stops Nagaland Government to do so?
Even in Grant-in Aid, the secular private colleges are given Rs. 2,00,000/- whereas, theological colleges are given only Rs. 80,000/- per academic year. Well, we are grateful to the Higher Education Department for such a great help. Yet, it would be highly appreciated, if the State Government and the concern Department can look into the needs of theological colleges and students.
