IMPHAL, February 11: The governing body and staff of South East Manipur College (SEMCO) have decried the government for meting out stepmother treatment to the college which is one of the oldest colleges in the State.
In a press meet held at the college campus located at Komlathabi (Kapaam) village in Chandel district today, SEMCO’s governing body chairman R. Jindasing who is also the village chief said that the college was founded in 1981 after the then village chiefs and public leaders of the district felt the need and resolved to establish an institution for higher education.
He urged the government to convert the college into a full-fledged one.
The college is one of the first colleges affiliated to Manipur University in 1983, he added.
He said that the college was running smoothly for the last 30 years from the fees collected from the students till the State government provided grant in aid in 2011.
But the governing body and the staff of the college faced immense hardship as the government provided only Rs 2.9 lakhs. The college staff gets only Rs 2000 per month which is a very meagre sum to be managed, he lamented.
On the other hand, Associate Professors of the government college enjoy a salary of above Rs 1 lakh per month, claimed the chairman.
He appealed to the government to address plight of the college staff and convert the college into a full-fledged one at the earliest.
Principal of SEMCO T Nabakumar said that the college is well equipped with infrastructure and recognized by the University Grant Commission (UGC).
Altogether 89 teaching staff, 48 non teaching staff and seven staff of vocational courses are engaged in the college where more than 1800 students are enrolled annually, he added.
Nabakumar pointed out that despite many recommendations from Ministers and Directors of Education (U), the successive State government failed to convert the college into a full-fledged government college till date.
Against all odds, the college has been providing quality education and producing brilliant students who excelled in various fields including sports, he said.
Chairman of Co-ordinating Committee of SEMCO’s Teaching & Non Teaching Association said that the government ignored the college despite knowing its importance and history.
SEMCO governing body’s secretary Ng. Koshing; vice-principal LS Dangsawa and SEMCO Teaching & Non Teaching Association’s Coordinating Committee secretary Moses Tarao were also present at the press meet.