the visit 55 of a delegation from the Republic of Mali to the Mauritius Qualifications Authority (MQA) from…
(No. B/846) Mr A. Duval (Fourth Member for Port-Louis North & Montagne Longue) asked the Minister of Education and Human Resource whether, in regard to the visit 55 of a delegation from the Republic of Mali to the Mauritius Qualifications Authority (MQA) from 25 to 29 August 2025, he will state whether the prior approval of the board of the MQA and of his Ministry respectively, were sought and obtained therefor and, if so, indicate – (a) the purposes thereof, and (b) whether any agreement and/or memorandum of understanding was/were signed in the course thereof and, if so, give details thereof and table copy thereof.
Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I am informed by the Mauritius Qualifications Authority that a Malian delegation visited the MQA from 25 to 29 August 2025. My Ministry was informed about the said visit on 22 August 2025. However, officials from my Ministry asked the MQA to seek the prior approval of its Board first and to submit such request well in advance in order to allow timely procession for approval. My Ministry did this with the view to ensure that there was due diligence as clearance from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs also had to be sought as well. I wish to inform the House that no formal approval was given neither by my Ministry nor by the Board of the MQA prior to the visit of the delegation from Mali. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, as for part (a) of the question, I wish to inform the House that the purpose of the visit of the delegation from Mali was a study tour on matters pertaining to certification and implementation of the Mauritian National Qualifications Framework recognition to prior learning and qualifications development in the TVET sector. As for part (b) of the question, I wish to inform the House that no formal agreement and no Memorandum of Understanding was signed. I am told that the visit was purely exploratory and merely for sharing of experience. It did not entail any bidding commitments on the part of the MQA. Thank you.
Yes.
Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, it’s in fact very serious that the Director of the MQA took it upon himself without consulting neither the Ministry nor the Board nor the Ministry of Foreign Affairs before allowing a delegation from Mali where there was recently un coup d’état, to come. And I understand that the Board also has taken his due.
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Put your question. Let’s have your question.
Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, that was statement of fact. He said that the Director of the MQA had taken upon himself to decide. He could ask whether that was the case.
The Minister never mentioned that the Director took it upon himself. So, ask the question.
The issue being a serious one and the Board having required explanation from the Director, who has still not given it, has the Minister since and in view…
He is making a statement or what?
In view that no explanation had been given, what is the Minister going to do about this?
What action will the Minister take now?
I will definitely leave it to the Board because there was a request by the Board for a written explanation regarding same and I am awaiting the report from the Board. The Board will take whatever action has to be taken.
Question!
Once the Board takes its decision, will the hon. Minister make that information available to the House as to the outcome of this matter which is very serious because they have bypassed proper procedure and bypassed the Minister himself?
We believe in transparency and needful will be done.
The hon. Second Member for Belle Rose and Quatre Bornes. QUATRE BORNES – JAWAHARLAL NEHRU ROAD – RESURFACING WORKS