PROBLEMS OF EDUCATION IN MIZORAM

Esther Lalrinsangi
Roll No. 48
3rd Semester, M.Ed
Institute of advanced Studies in Education

Education in Mizoram was started only in 1894 when the first two missionaries (J .H.
Lorrain and F. W. Savidge) came and started school by adopting the first alphabet from
Roman script. But the school was closed down in the same year, due to unavoidable
circumstances. However, in the year 1898, it was reopened by Rev. D.E. Jones with 60
students and the education in Mizoram continued to grow thereafter. At present there are
so many colleges, Universities and even NIT and Medical college in Mizoram. Though a
lot of improvement and development can be seen in Mizoram, yet there are so many
problems in Mizoram Education system. The problems of Education in Mizoram can be
discussed as follows

Firstly, one of the main problem in Mizoram Education system is financial problem.
There cannot be real and full development without sufficient funds and financial support.
Due to financial problem, the government cannot appoint sufficient teachers, cannot
provide proper facilities.

Secondly, another problems of Education system in Mizoram is unequal distribution of

teachers. There are imbalances in the distribution of teachers between urban and rural
areas. In remote areas there are so many schools with single teacher while in urban areas
a lot of teachers are there in a school where they have no much students. This creates a
lot of problem and also creates regional imbalances. At the same time, some of the
teacher did not want to work in their post, instead they are taking substitute teacher. This
also creates a lot of problems in Education

Thirdly, due to financial problem, almost all government School did not have proper
facilities without which good and proper education can be made.

Fourthly, requent change in the content of various subjects also creates a lot of problem
in Mizoram Education system. Of course with the changing situation and development,
courses, syllabus and curriculum should be change to meet the changing situation, yet
frequent change of courses can create a lot of problem for the teachers as well the
students.
Another point is the dearth of qualified teacher especially science and mathematics
teachers also create problems in Mizoram education system. Especially in rural areas the
students are very weak in science and mathematics due to dearth of qualified teacher.

Also, there are so many trained teachers in Mizoram, they learned so many method and
techniques of teaching but in their actual practice they cannot make use of their methods
and techniques and still followed traditional method of teaching.

Another problem in Education in Mizoram is that teacher does everything. There is little
scope for the students to participate in the classroom to enhance their capability, ability
and other skills. The teacher teaches the students, gives them notes to learn by heart and
moves on to the next chapter. The whole class looks up to the teacher for everything and
thus they are spoon-fed which only limits their understanding.

The problem here, again, is lack of adequate training on the part of the teachers to handle
classes effectively. In Mizoram, trained teachers with ELT background are rarely
available. Even training through Refresher courses or Orientation courses does not help
the teaching-learning situation much as there is little facility for the teachers in the field
for in-service training, particularly at the college level. Although, a lot of research has
been done on methods, approaches and techniques for teaching/learning in our country
and abroad, the teachers in Mizoram are largely not familiar with them, and their
knowledge of the findings of research on methods, approaches and techniques cannot be
put into use in practice.

Another problem faced by the students in the education in Mizoram is that the teachers
lack innovation. They teach every subject like any other subject. They do not give extra
effort for the students to enhance their capability, ability, to be able to use in real life
situation.

Lastly, the Mizos live in a close- knit society where everyone is treated equally and the
various organisations like YMA, KTP, TKP, etc., keep the bonds of the Mizo people
stronger. Everyone gets a chance to prove his credibility in the society. This creates some
problems in Education and hinder students success.