Madam Speaker, I wish to thank the hon. First Member of Rodrigues for a question which is as vast and broad as education can be. The concerns regarding the proposed reforms and issues pertaining to curriculum and digital transformation and equity are legitimate. I wish to assure the hon. Member that this Government is fully committed to revamping and reconstructing our education system on the basis of equity. As mentioned in the Government Programme 2025-2029, this Government will ensure that the reforms of our education system cover the widest possible number of issues hampering the development of our students while addressing emerging challenges in a constantly evolving sector. Today, this Government has the dual task of quickly cleaning the massive pedagogical mess left by the previous regime and coming forward with a set of innovative measures to address the myriad emerging challenges facing the education sector. After what we have

60 experienced over the past 10 years under the previous regime, where our children were martyred by an oppressive pedagogy that mercilessly excluded thousands of students of the Republic, now is the time to redress the situation. This Government believes that each child of the Republic, regardless of their background or ability, has the right to receive an equitable and quality education. Equity in education involves the transformation of all physical and learning aspects of the school, such as curriculum, pedagogy, learning strategies, assessment and teacher training, and creates an education system that responds to the needs of all children in a healthy and conducive learning environment adapted to the intellectual, social, physical, artistic, cultural and economic needs. The previous Government did not realise that our schools have to cater for all the children of the Republic. We have to cater for the aspirations of the high flyers and nurture their quest for excellence, and at the same time, we should not neglect the average and slow learners. Different students learn in different ways and at different paces. We cannot have a one-size-fits-all pathway for all our children. This Government cares for all the children of the Republic. The new educational policy orientations of my Ministry have been very aptly articulated in the Government Programme 2025-2029. Unlike the previous Government which imposed policies and which obstinately refused to entertain meaningful dialogues with partners in the educational sector, we believe in listening to stakeholders. Since holding office, this is what I have been relentlessly doing. A blueprint will be prepared after the Assise de l’Éducation which will be held in April 2025. Madam Speaker, I wish to inform the hon. Member that my Ministry sent a delegation to Rodrigues during mid-January for a sensitisation campaign on the implementation of the new foundational programme which has replaced the obnoxious Extended Programme which unfortunately massacred the future of thousands of our students who left the system neither with a PSAC nor with an NCE Certificate. Another team from my Ministry is proceeding to Rodrigues soon for the implementation of the Google Classroom Digitisation Project. We believe that digital transformation encourages a shift from teacher-centred instruction to student-driven learning. Madam Speaker, curriculum development, digital transformation and equity are interdependent factors that shape the future of quality education. While digital technologies offer immense potential to enhance learning experiences, they also present challenges related

61 to accessibility and fairness. A forward-thinking curriculum must integrate digital tools, promote competency and value-based learning and ensure that every child, regardless of their background, can benefit from technological advancements. Only by addressing these challenges can our education system fully harness the power of curriculum and digital transformation while ensuring quality education and equity in education. Thank you.

Thank you, Minister! Yes!

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Will the hon. Minister indicate whether there will be consideration for some civic education to be included in the curriculum for our children at all levels, including the secondary level in Rodrigues?

Thank you for that supplementary question. Without civic education fully embedded in the new curriculum that we are envisaging, we cannot contemplate the education of the future. Today more than ever, when we see what is happening in this society, when we are reconstructing a new Mauritius, definitely at the basis of that reconstruction phase, we will need civic education. Sometimes I will say it, tongue in cheek, not only for students but for all Mauritians; we need that. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Yes, alright. So interesting, we were sleeping almost. I didn’t mean that. I meant we were very interested, and it woke us up. The hon. Third Member for Pamplemousses and Triolet! DISABILITY ALLOWANCE/PENSION – CRITERIA & APPLICATION – DISCREPANCY