Hundreds of students in Aizawl took to the streets on Monday under the banner of the Mizo Students’ Union (MSU), demanding the immediate dismissal of part-time college teachers who have allegedly been serving for years without holding the minimum required qualifications. The protest marks a growing frustration among students who believe their academic future is being compromised by the continued employment of unqualified educators in government institutions. The rally, which began at Vanapa Hall and ended at the Directorate of Higher and Technical Education in Zarkawt, covered nearly two kilometres as students marched with placards and slogans calling for strict action. Chants of “No qualification, no teaching!” echoed through the streets, reflecting anger at the system that has allowed such appointments to persist for over a decade. According to MSU President B. Lalkhawngaihzuala, many part-time assistant professors appointed between 2008 and 2017 continue to hold their positions without clearing essential eligibility criteria such as the National Eligibility Test (NET), the Mizoram Teacher Eligibility Test (MTET), or possessing a PhD degree.
“The future of students is at stake. We cannot remain silent while unqualified teachers stand in front of the classroom. We demand their immediate removal and reject any possibility of their service being extended beyond this academic year,” Lalkhawngaihzuala said, addressing protesters during the rally. The MSU, one of Mizoram’s most influential student bodies, has long voiced concerns about the erosion of academic standards and transparency in recruitment processes. Monday’s protest was seen as a culmination of years of demands and dialogues that have failed to yield concrete results. Responding to the agitation, state government officials confirmed that show-cause notices have already been served to the concerned teachers. These include assistant professors across general degree colleges, Mizoram Law College, and Mizoram Polytechnic, Lunglei. The notices give the teachers 15 days to respond, after which action is expected to follow swiftly. According to officials from the Department of Higher and Technical Education, once the deadline for responses ends, any unqualified teachers who fail to provide satisfactory explanations will face dismissal within five days.
In a statement aimed at clarifying the current government’s position, Higher and Technical Education Minister Dr. Vanlalthlana distanced the ruling Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) from the appointments. “Let it be clear—these appointments were made during the tenure of previous governments led by the MNF and Congress. The ZPM government did not recruit any part-time teacher lacking in the required qualifications,” he said. The minister also addressed concerns about over 100 muster roll teachers, most of whom have been serving without clearing the MTET, the minimum eligibility test required for teaching in government institutions. While the previous government had granted them an extension until 2024, the current administration has made it clear that this year is their last opportunity to qualify. “Teachers must meet academic and professional standards. The era of political appointments and relaxed criteria must end if we want to uplift the quality of higher education in Mizoram,” Dr. Vanlalthlana added. Students at the rally said they appreciated the government’s assurance but emphasized that they will monitor the situation closely. “We will wait for action, but we will not hesitate to return to the streets if the government fails to deliver within the promised time frame,” said a student from Government Aizawl College.
