Mizoram Govt Approves Provincialisation of 51 Schools, Regularises RUSA Faculty After Major Policy Review
Changhma Times News | Aizawl | May 22
The Mizoram Government has announced a major overhaul of its school upgradation and Grant-in-Aid policy, approving the provincialisation of 51 schools and regularisation of Assistant Professors recruited under the Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA) after an extensive review of earlier decisions taken in 2023.
Addressing a press conference at the Aizawl Press Club on Friday, Higher and Technical Education Minister Dr. Vanlalthlana said the Council of Ministers was compelled to revisit the previous government’s school upgradation policy after several procedural lapses and eligibility-related irregularities were detected.
The issue dates back to September 27, 2023, when the former Mizo National Front (MNF) government approved the upgradation of 340 schools, including Provincialisation Schools, Provisional Adhoc Grant-in-Aid Schools and Lump Sum Grant-in-Aid institutions.
However, after the Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) government assumed office, the matter was re-examined by the Cabinet on June 18, 2024. The review reportedly found that crucial departments such as Finance, Law & Judicial, and Personnel & Administrative Reforms had not been properly consulted before the approval process.
Dr. Vanlalthlana stated that several schools proposed for upgradation failed to meet the criteria laid down by the School Education Department in September 2023. He also noted that some institutions listed under Lump Sum Grant-in-Aid had either become defunct, were operating privately, or lacked eligibility to allow students to appear for Class X examinations under their own school names.
To address these concerns, the government amended the existing framework in October 2024 by introducing a “Relaxation Clause” and later constituted a high-level Study Team in May 2025 to formulate a more transparent and sustainable education policy.
Based on the recommendations of the Study Team, the Cabinet approved “The Mizoram Education (Lumpsum Grant-in-Aid for General Maintenance of Private School) Rules, 2025.”
Following fresh scrutiny, the Council of Ministers approved 51 schools for provincialisation during its meeting held on May 18, 2026. While most schools fulfilled the required criteria, a few institutions received special relaxation under the revised policy framework.
Among the exceptions, Special Blind School, Durtlang was included despite not fully meeting the prescribed conditions, while Ngopa Higher Secondary School received relaxation in pass percentage requirements.
The government also announced that schools functioning under the Adhoc category but not qualifying for complete provincialisation would now be placed under “Special Category 1.” Teachers in these schools will receive full basic pay and allowances similar to regular government employees, along with a death-cum-retirement gratuity of Rs 4 lakh.
Under the newly framed 2025 rules, aided schools will now be classified into three categories — Special Category 1, Special Category 2 and Lump Sum Aided Schools. At the same time, the government has introduced stricter accountability measures, warning that schools with continuously declining student enrolment may face downgrading or withdrawal of aided status.
Dr. Vanlalthlana acknowledged that the prolonged delay and uncertainty surrounding the issue had disappointed many teachers and school authorities. He said the Cabinet discussed the matter multiple times in an effort to provide the widest possible benefit within the limits of the government’s financial and legal framework.
In another significant decision, the Council of Ministers approved the regularisation of Assistant Professors recruited under the RUSA Faculty Recruitment Support Scheme, ending years of uncertainty over their service status.
The minister said the process began in 2017 when the RUSA Project Approval Board sanctioned 72 permanent teaching posts to address faculty shortages in government colleges. Recruitment was conducted through the Mizoram Public Service Commission (MPSC) following standard government procedures, resulting in the appointment of 69 Assistant Professors.
Although their salaries were initially funded under RUSA, the State Government has been bearing the full financial responsibility since 2021. The latest Cabinet decision formally brings the RUSA faculty members under the State Government establishment.
Dr. Vanlalthlana further stated that despite the recent recruitment of 31 Assistant Professors and the regularisation of RUSA faculty, the shortage of teachers in government colleges has not been completely resolved, as many newly appointed educators had previously been serving on contract or part-time basis.
The minister praised officials of both the School Education Department and Higher & Technical Education Department for their efforts in implementing the reforms and expressed gratitude to Chief Minister Lalduhoma for prioritising the education sector.
He said the government expects major improvements in Mizoram’s education system through initiatives such as the proposed State University, establishment of an Engineering College, recruitment of additional faculty members, school upgradation and effective utilisation of education cess funds.
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