Mizoram Government Scales Back School Provincialisation Plan

Aizawl: The Mizoram government announced on May 22 that only 52 of the 340 schools previously approved for provincialisation met the necessary eligibility requirements. This decision follows a comprehensive review of the state's education policies conducted after the Zoram People's Movement government took office in December 2023.

School Education Minister Vanlalthlana stated that the initial approvals granted by the previous Mizo National Front administration in September 2023 lacked proper oversight. Those earlier decisions were made without consulting essential departments, including law, finance, and personnel. The current government opted to enforce the specific standards established in a July 2023 notification to ensure consistency in state funding and management.

During a press conference in Aizawl, the minister confirmed that 288 schools were excluded from the final list. While most of the selected 52 institutions adhered strictly to the government norms, the Special Blind School at Durtlang received approval as an exception despite missing some criteria. Alongside these school updates, the Cabinet also approved the regularisation of college teachers hired under the Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan.