schools registered with the Special Needs Education Authority in Rodrigues, he will, for the benefit of the…
(No. B/415) Ms M. R. Collet (First Member for Rodrigues) asked the Minister of Education and Human Resource whether, in regard to schools registered with the Special Needs Education Authority in Rodrigues, he will, for the benefit of the House, obtain information as to where matters stand for the prescription of the scheme of service of the school managers currently posted thereat, indicating the measures being envisaged to ensure equitable conditions for these managers in line with national education policies.
Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I wish to inform the House that there are presently five special education needs institutions in Rodrigues. All of them are registered with the Special Education Needs Authority (SENA). Out of the five SEN institutions, three are run by non-government organisations and two are run by the Service Diocésain de l'Éducation Catholique (SeDEC). The National Remuneration Board (NRB) determines the salaries for various positions such as Teacher, Teacher’s Assistant, Clerk, Carer, Driver and Caretaker for NGOs. With the implementation of the NRB regulations in 2024, the salaries of Teacher, Teacher’s Assistant, Clerk, Carer, Driver and Caretaker have increased whereas the salary of Managers has remained the same, as recommended by the NRB.
47 Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I am informed that compared to grades published in the NRB Report, there is no defined scheme of duty for post of Managers in SEN institutions in Mauritius as well as in Rodrigues. SEN institutions in Rodrigues are allocated funds by the Ministry of Finance through the Rodrigues Regional Assembly. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I wish to highlight that during consultations for the Special Education Needs Institutions Employees (Remuneration) Regulations 2024, my ministry had proposed that Managers be included in the category of employee. However, the Ministry of Labour and Industrial Relations indicated that Managers of NGOs have not been included in the exercise for the following reasons – (i) These were high-profile job positions and holders of same could negotiate their salaries with their boards. (ii) People in these positions were in charge of all the NGOs activities, but not limited to SEN schools. A working committee, including an officer of the Human Resource Section of my ministry, has been set at the level of the SENA with the view to finding appropriate solutions on the matter. Same would then be referred to the Ministry of Labour and Industrial Relations for consideration. The relevant duties of Managers, including the duties of Managers in Rodrigues, will thus be examined at the level of the above working committee prior to the submission of the recommendations to the Ministry of Labour and Industrial Relations. Thank you.
Thank you. Hon. First Member for Port Louis North and Montagne Longue! ST. CROIX & VALLÉE DES PRÊTRES REGIONS – DRAIN WORKS