NMC lists 5 educational concerns

Numerous challenges gripped the Northern Marianas College during the year 2000 particularly on key educational programs subsidized by the very law that was established to reduce CNMI’s reliance on nonresident workers.

In an annual report detailing the status of NMC programs funded by Public Law 10-66 or the “Nonresident Workers Act,” the college listed five principal issues that halted the institution’s progress.

NMC’s overall challenges include inadequate funding levels, insufficient facilities, equipment and supplies, the need to conduct a comprehensive community needs assessment, the difficulties in recruiting and retaining qualified instructors, and low enrollment.

Since 1990, with the exception of Fiscal Year 1991 and 1996, NMC cited that its yearly funding allotments have remained relatively in the same level at approximately $1.4 million, which was further reduced to $1.1 million in FY2001.

“To move the programs forward, it is essential for our elected leaders to provide a strong commitment through sufficient financial support to fund these educational and training programs that are critically needed in the CNMI,” read the report.

The lack of instructional paraphernalia such as classrooms, laboratories, teaching equipment, and educational supplies have also been counted as setbacks to the college’s efforts at improving the quality of postsecondary education for local students.

The college has also raised the need to conduct a valid and accurate survey that would determine the current human resource development needs in the CNMI, recognizing the fast-paced technological breakthroughs and diversity in the workplace.

The needs assessment survey was eyed to serve as a guide in the planning and development of appropriate and effective educational training programs, the 2000 report suggested.

NMC program managers are also faced with the difficulties of hiring and maintaining qualified faculty and staff mainly brought about by the noncompetitive salary offered to employees which amounts to not more than $50,000 per year.

Moreover, scholarship cuts, as a result of the changes made to the CNMI Scholarship program, has had a disastrous effect on the college’s student population mainly affecting non full time students.

The NMC report made a forecast that the elimination of financial aids for part time students will result in ripple effects in the local economy as fewer and fewer government and private sector employees will be able to brush up on their skill levels as demanded by modern times.

In addition to the five main concerns enumerated, the college also cited specific challenges meted by three of NMC’s specialized divisions: the School of Education, Business, Hospitality, and Computer Technology Dept., and the Nursing Dept.

The issues raised under the three departments also reflected NMC’s overall challenges and concerns.