Republic of Mauritius- Early Digital Learning Programme fully implemented in primary schools

The Minister of Education and Human Resources, Tertiary Education and Scientific Research, Mrs Leela Devi Dookun-Luchoomun, made this statement, this morning, following a site visit at Sir Veerasamy Ringadoo Government School, in Sodnac, in the context of the implementation of the EDLP. The High Commissioner of India to Mauritius, Mr Tanmaya Lal, and other senior officials of the Ministry were also present.

In her statement, Minister Dookun-Luchoomun highlighted that the ELDP, a joint collaborative venture between Mauritius and India, is meant to develop a new culture of learning by introducing new pedagogies relevant to the digital era and technological world in which our children are called upon to develop. The main objective of the programme, she said, is to develop digital literacy right at the beginning of the schooling life of the children, adding that early exposure to the digital tool, as from Grade 1, effectively enhances and transforms the learning experience of pupils and improve pupils’ learning outcomes in a timely manner.

She pointed out that, as at date, more than 1 500 educators have been trained and that training of staff will be pursued and sustained. The training sessions were organised for Educators of Grades 1, 2 and 3, Headmasters, Deputy Head Masters and Inspectors, she said.  The Ministry, she added, further aims at implementing the EDLP in higher Grades as well.

It is recalled that under Phases I and II, the EDLP Project for Grades 1, 2 and 3 has been developed with the collaboration of the Mauritius Institute of Education, the Mahatma Gandhi Institute, and Educational Consultants India Limited.  The programme aims at aligning the integration of ICT into teaching and learning of pupils in the primary education subsector through the use of adapted tablets.  These tablets encompass digital pedagogical contents such as videos and e-books; interactive animations; hands-on activities; and drawing and creativity tools.  The EDLP is expected to promote an early culture of IT use and practice as well as improve learning outcomes in ways appropriate to pupils’ developmental level.