Fostering a modern and more inclusive education System

 To better serve that purpose, a sum of Rs 17.1 billion has been earmarked in Budget 2019-2020, as well as for promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all, equipping learners with innovative, cutting edge knowledge, skills and appropriate attitudes to achieve excellence in their chosen careers. 

Provision is being made for the setting up of a Skills Development Authority to act as an independent regulator, ensure quality assurance and confer awarding powers to training institutions in the TVET sector. As regards students with special needs, a provision of Rs 138 million is being made to NGOs running Special Education Needs Schools. Moreover, Rs 10 million is being provided under the National CSR Foundation for the setting up of a Fortified Learning Environment Unit, a new concept in the education system, to better support vulnerable children and raise their performance standards.

Government caters for a more conducive learning environment and provision is also being made to expand and upgrade the learning environment in schools and give greater non-academic support services to students.

Other measures for the education sector include:

·         financing the Free Tertiary Education Scheme to a total cost of Rs 600 million;

·         introducing “Leader In Me Programme” for students of Grade 7 in 20 schools;

·         distributing tablets to Grade 4 students;

·         equipping 20 State Secondary Schools with ramps, handrails and adapted toilets for disabled students;

·         transforming 50 primary schools in poverty areas into Fortified Learning Environment Schools to counter the effect of poverty on educational attainment of the child;

·         providing specialised and focussed support to students in the Extended Programme;

·         constructing and upgrading of: 8 Government Schools; 6 Multi-Purpose halls; 4 playfields; 3 new Science Blocks in Secondary Schools; and 58 specialist rooms in State Secondary Schools for Food and Textile Studies and Design and Technology; and

·         constructing a modern training centre for the MITD, to the tune of Rs 219 million at Beau Vallon.

As regards non-academic support aimed at promoting the psychological and social well-being of students, provision is being made for the recruitment of eight Educational Psychologists, six Educational Social Workers and 34 Discipline Masters. Moreover, the Drug Use Prevention Programme, will be extended to all secondary schools.

Budget 2019-2020 also makes provision for the creation of an Education Hub at Côte D’Or. It will include among others, an Academy for Teachers, the Mauritius Institute of Education and the University of Technology Mauritius. Meanwhile, the Academy for Teachers will operate at the Polytechnic in Montagne Blanche.