The Mizoram government has approved provincialisation for only 52 schools out of 340 institutions that were earlier cleared for upgradation by the previous government, following a review of the prescribed eligibility criteria. The announcement was made by School Education Minister Vanlalthlana during a press conference held in Aizawl on Thursday. The minister said the earlier decision to approve 340 schools under different categories was taken on September 27, 2023, during the previous Mizo National Front (MNF) government. However, he stated that the decision had been made without consultation with several important departments, including personnel and administrative reforms, law and finance.
After the Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) government came to power in December 2023, the issue was reviewed by the Council of Ministers. The government later decided that only those schools fulfilling the conditions mentioned in a government notification issued in July 2023 would qualify for provincialisation. Provincialisation refers to bringing schools under direct government control, management and financial support. Addressing reporters, Vanlalthlana said, “After detailed scrutiny based on the prescribed eligibility norms, the Council of Ministers meeting held on May 18 approved only 52 schools for provincialisation.” He added that all the approved schools met the required conditions laid down in the 2023 notification, except the Special Blind School at Durtlang, which was given approval despite not fulfilling all the specified norms.
The minister said the latest decision was aimed at ensuring transparency and proper implementation of education policies in the state. Vanlalthlana, who also holds the Higher and Technical Education portfolio, further informed that the Cabinet meeting held on May 18 approved the regularisation of college teachers recruited under the Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA).
