Madam Speaker, at the very outset, I wish to thank the hon. Member for this pertinent PQ referring to Agriculture. I wish to inform the House that Agriculture, as a mainstream subject, is currently not available in state colleges, and is only available in private colleges under the PSEA. However, state colleges as well as private colleges, are providing a full-fledged one-year programme entitled ‘Introduction to Smart Agriculture’ within the Foundation Programme in the Literacy, Numeracy and Skills. The students of the foundation programme delve into eco-friendly farming methods such as organic farming, aquaponics and hydroponics, and develop hands-on skills through practical activities.

91 The elective also addresses the pressing issue of climate change, guiding students to understand its impact on agriculture and how climate-resilient strategies can ensure sustainable food production. Allow me to salute the good work being done in these schools. With regard to part (a) of the question, I am informed that 40 grant-aided schools currently offer Agriculture as a mainstream subject. Out of these 40, 28 schools including 8 from Rodrigues, currently, offer agriculture as a mainstream subject up to the School Certificate level. The 12 remaining schools currently offer Agriculture as a mainstream subject up to grade 9. Madam Speaker, as regards part(b) of the question, the annual programme for the National Certificate of Education assessment 2025 does not include Agriculture as a compulsory core, optional core or non-core subject for the said assessment. Private colleges, however, that are authorised by the PSEA to run the subject at Grade 7 to 9, conduct their own internal examination at school level. The PSEA has established requirements for the teaching of Agriculture in grant- aided private schools as follows – 1. The educators for Agriculture should possess a degree in agricultural field; 2. The number of periods allocated weekly for Agriculture for Grade 7 to 9 is either one or two periods; 3. Students of Grade 7 to 9 are provided with free textbooks, and 4. The teaching facilities should be as per specific norms and standards. Madam Speaker, regarding part (c) of the question, I am informed that although the Science curriculum covers related topics such as plants, photosynthesis, food production, food security and the use of fertilizers, there is presently no formal curriculum for Agriculture that has been developed for Grade 7 to 9 by the MIE. Madam Speaker, the curriculum for Agriculture has not yet been developed due to the fact that there is an insufficient number of secondary school educators qualified to teach Agriculture. It is therefore necessary to design and implement a teacher professional development programme, and to equip our state colleges with the adequate facilities prior to the effective introduction of the subject. During my recent visits to Rodrigues and Agaléga, I had fruitful meetings with the stakeholders including students and parents who requested the introduction of Agriculture and

92 Marine Science among others as taught subjects. These requests have been favourably entertained and the blueprint for education which will be made public soon, will spell out the way forward. To conclude, the expression, ‘Let us produce what we consume and consume what we produce’ is not only topical but pertinent as well. Together with my colleague, the hon. Minister of Agro Industry, Food Security, Blue Economy and Fisheries, we are going to initiate joint programmes to encourage our children to embrace farming and agriculture; be it as a subject, as a hobby or as a profession later on. Thank you.

Thank you. Yes, I have two minutes left. Hon. Babajee, do you think you can have a go and see if the hon. Minister won’t take too long? I do not want to be unfair to you, again. POST CYCLONE BELAL – FORTHCOMING RAINY SEASONS – FLOOD MITIGATING MEASURES