Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, the hon. Member may wish to note that the legislation no longer provides for Child Beyond Control. If she is referring to Child with Behavioural Concerns, the reply is as follows. From January to June 2025, the number of cases reported to my Ministry stands at 440, among which, 302 children were having only mild behavioural concerns and 138 children were found to be having serious behavioural concerns.

35 Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, cases of children having mild behavioural issues are addressed through psychological support provided to both the child and their parents by my Ministry. Where appropriate, these children are placed under the Child Mentoring Scheme for further guidance and support. From January 2025 to date, 28 children have been placed under the Child Mentoring Scheme. With regard to children assessed having serious behavioural concerns, they are referred to the Mauritius Probation and Aftercare Service, falling under the purview of the Prime Minister’s Office, for parenting support intervention. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, children with serious behavioural concerns should not be treated as children in conflict with the law, but should be handled differently. I wish to inform the House that to comply with this requirement and for a more professional and children’s rights-based approach in dealing with cases of CSBC, consultations are being held presently with different stakeholders, including the PMO, the Ombudsperson for Children, the Probation and Aftercare Service, and my Ministry to come up with a proposal. The redesigning of the Rehabilitation Youth Centre (RYC) is also envisaged.

Thank you. The hon. Second Member for Savanne and Black River! HEC-QAA(UK) AGREEMENT – ACADEMIC PROGRAMMES