Aizawl: Hundreds of students, under the banner of the Mizo Students’ Union (MSU), took to the streets on Monday in a powerful protest rally, demanding the swift removal of part-time college teachers who have reportedly been serving for years without the necessary qualifications.
The protest march commenced at Vanapa Hall and culminated at the Directorate of Higher and Technical Education in Zarkawt. Students traversed a two-kilometre stretch, vociferously chanting slogans against the continued employment of assistant professors, allegedly appointed without proper qualifications between 2008 and 2017.
MSU President B. Lalkhawngaihzuala asserted that the recruitment of unqualified educators jeopardised the academic future of students, emphatically demanding their immediate dismissal. He further cautioned against any extension of their service beyond the current academic year.
Officials have confirmed that show-cause notices have been issued to the concerned teachers, some of whom have served for as long as 17 years. They have been granted a 15-day window to respond, with the government assuring that dismissals would be effected within five days of the deadline’s expiry.
Dr. Vanlalthlana, the Higher and Technical Education Minister, clarified that the current ZPM government did not recruit any of the part-time teachers in question. He stated, “Those without NET, MTET, or PhD were appointed under previous MNF and Congress governments.”
The show-cause notices encompass faculty across general colleges, Mizoram Law College, and Mizoram Polytechnic, Lunglei. Additionally, over 100 muster roll teachers who have not cleared the MTET have been granted a final opportunity to qualify this year, in adherence with the previous government’s extension till 2024.
The peaceful demonstration concluded following the government’s assurances, with no untoward incidents or law and order disturbances reported.
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