The Mizo Zirlai Pawl (MZP), Mizoram’s apex student body, has issued a strong appeal to the state government to take action against teachers in government schools who allegedly hire proxies to perform their teaching duties. The student body has set a deadline of June 13 for the government to respond. Addressing the media on Wednesday, MZP president H. Lalthianghlima said the organization had identified at least 22 teachers across 14 state-run schools in six districts who were employing substitute instructors illegally. “This is a serious issue that undermines the quality of education and violates the trust of students and parents,” Lalthianghlima said, adding that MZP is committed to eradicating the practice from all state schools.
The student body’s demand comes despite the Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) government’s earlier promise to eliminate proxy hiring across departments. After coming to power in December 2023, the ZPM-led government had directed all government employees using proxies to report to their departments with proper explanations.According to official records, more than 3,600 government employees across departments had hired proxies. The School Education Department had the highest number—1,115 cases—followed by the Health Department with 624 and the Electricity Department with 253.
Many cited health and domestic reasons for hiring substitutes, but MZP insists this should not be an excuse for compromising education. Earlier in March, Chief Minister Lalduhoma informed the state assembly that all proxy employees had reported to work after strict government intervention. However, the MZP claims fresh violations have been observed, prompting the latest call for accountability.
