Hundreds of students, led by the Mizo Students’ Union (MSU), staged a protest rally in Aizawl on Monday, demanding the immediate dismissal of part-time assistant professors in Mizoram’s colleges who lack required qualifications, such as the National Eligibility Test (NET), Mizoram Teacher Eligibility Test (MTET), or a PhD, despite serving for 8 to 17 years. The 2-km rally from Vanapa Hall to the Directorate of Higher and Technical Education in Zarkawt called for urgent action to protect students’ academic futures.

MSU president B. Lalkhawngaihzuala criticized the recruitment of unqualified teachers under previous Mizo National Front (MNF) and Congress governments, alleging it has jeopardized students’ careers. He strongly opposed extending their service beyond 2025. The Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) government, led by Chief Minister Lalduhoma, assured protesters that the implicated teachers, appointed between 2008 and 2017 via the Mizoram Public Service Commission (MPSC), would be terminated within five days after their 15-day show-cause notice period ends, prompting the rally’s peaceful conclusion with no reported law and order issues.

Higher and Technical Education Minister Dr. Vanlalthlana clarified that the current ZPM government has not recruited unqualified teachers. Show-cause notices have been issued to part-time faculty in general colleges, Mizoram Law College, and Mizoram Polytechnic in Lunglei. Additionally, over 100 muster roll teachers lacking MTET certification have been given until the end of 2025 to qualify, following an extension granted by the previous MNF government until 2024. Posts on X, including from @VIRTHLI and @DDNewsMizoram, highlighted the MSU’s push for “Quality Education Humhalhna Kawng Zawh” and noted a prior protest on July 1, where the MSU burnt a government order extending these teachers’ tenure.

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