Madam Speaker, I wish to thank the hon. Member for this question which will allow me, albeit, briefly to clarify a few misunderstandings. At the outset, I wish to inform the House that no final decision has been taken regarding the abolition of mixity. The blueprint of this government will be the reflection of stakeholders’ input, not a single person’s decision. The merit of the forthcoming blueprint is based on consultations held during les Assises de l'Éducation in April 2025 in Mauritius and in May in Rodrigues. The interministerial committee comprising hon. Gunness, hon. Ms Navarre-Marie, hon. Dr. Sukon, hon. Subron, and hon. Pentiah also went through the draft proposals of the forthcoming blueprint and they made valuable contributions. Madam Speaker, during les Assises de l'Éducation held in April 2025 in Mauritius, many stakeholders showed their concern regarding the model of mixity in academies, with the exception of Mahatma Gandhi Institute. They highlighted the following –

51 1. The lack of consultation of the previous minister prior to taking this major decision; 2. The absence of pedagogical rationale behind converting the academies into mixed schools as from Grade 10; 3. The adaptation and school culture issues for students transiting from regional single-gender schools from Grade 7-9 to mixed school in Grade 10; 4. The numerous discipline-related issues which emerged in these academies after the transition to mixed-gender status, and 5. The drop in the relative academic performance of students in the academies. Madam Speaker, my Ministry is carrying on a nationwide consultation exercise from 08 December 2025 to 20 January 2026 to gauge public views on the issue of mixity and mode of admission in secondary schools. I seize this opportunity to invite everyone who wishes to contribute their views on mixity and the two options. Technicians of my Ministry will be meeting with stakeholders and there will be an online survey as well to gauge public opinion. The online survey will provide the technicians of my Ministry with valuable data, and I will inform the Cabinet about the ultimate findings of this survey. Madam Speaker, we do not want to rush with the blueprint. We do not want to impose anything which may affect the children of our republic. We believe in consultations with all stakeholders, and we are here to listen to stakeholders. Their valuable views will be taken onboard. Thank you.

Yes, hon. Ms Savabaddy!

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Puis-je suggérer à l’honorable ministre que cette question d’abolir ou non la mixité devrait être discutée avec les parents et les étudiants pour obtenir leurs réactions avant d’aller de l’avant ? Et aussi, si c’est possible, will the backbenchers be invited for consultations. Thank you.

Yes. Regarding parents and students, it will take place in January. Regarding students, the School Prefect and the Student Council will be taken onboard and the PTA as well. That will take part in January. Regarding backbenchers, you are most welcome. Even backbenchers of the Opposition will be invited to share their views.

(Interruptions)

52 He will pass on the message to the others, DPM, I hope, so that they can contribute their views. It will be online. If you want to have consultation with the technicians of the Ministry, you are most welcome. You are invited for that. Thank you.

Hon. Minister, if I may. As Chairperson of the Parliamentary Gender Caucus, I am telling hon. Ms Savabaddy – we have just discussed with the Chief Whip –, we are going to take this issue onboard also because it is a very important issue concerning boys and girls. It is a very long debate. There has been a lot of research that has been done worldwide on this issue. So, maybe we can do it also at our level. It is a very important issue. You said something about, I do not remember, but are girls doing worse or doing better in co-education schools? That is what we want to know.

No, I did not pronounce on that. If you want, Madam Speaker, we noted in academies which were formerly girl schools, when boys joined there, so far, we did not have any…

We did not have?

We did not have any laureates so far. It is something which we are owed excellent performance, but there has discipline related issues.

Laureate, ce n’est pas la fin du monde.

Discipline related issues have been noted. We are going to discuss, and your valuable input is most welcome.

I went to a girl school. It is a very important issue. I am sure everybody will want to talk about it. Do you have a question, hon. Ms Savabaddy? The next question has been withdrawn. Fourth Member for Port Louis North and Montagne Longue, Mr A. Duval! DEUX FRÈRES TO ROSE-BELLE – COASTAL AREA – BUS SERVICES