Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Member for this question. I wish to inform this House that the comprehensive process of constituting the boards of our public higher education institutions has been formally initiated and has progressed to a considerable advanced stage. I am informed that the completion of this critical government framework is imminent and shall be finalised within the immediate term. Madam Speaker, during this interim period and in order to safeguard the uninterrupted operational efficacy and governance of these institutions of paramount importance to our educational landscape, the Permanent Secretary of my Ministry has graciously undertaken to serve in the capacity of acting Chairperson for the University of Technology Mauritius, Open University of Mauritius while also providing administrative guidance and facilitation to all the other HEIs, to ensure absolute continuity and strategic oversight in the operation of these institutions thereby precluding most major disruptions to the essential functions and progressive development of these establishments.

53 Moreover, in the aftermath of the last general elections, I have established a calendar of regular management consultations with the heads of our Higher Education Institutions. These systematic managements meetings, which I chair personally, are conducted to ensure optimal coordination among all stakeholders to address expeditiously any operational considerations that may arise and to maintain the most exacting standards of international excellence throughout this transitional phase. Madam Speaker, I wish most emphatically to assure this House that the formal establishment of these boards remains an absolute priority within my Ministry’s agenda and, I undertake to keep this House fully apprised of all substantive development as they unfold.

Thank you, hon. Minister. Yes!

I have two supplementary questions. Firstly, Madam Speaker, as the Minister is aware, he cannot, neither him nor the Permanent Secretary…

Question!

It is a question! … substitute themselves to the Councils, to the statutory legislations which regulate the University of Mauritius, the University Technology of Mauritius, the Open University and l'Université des Mascareignes. Therefore, can the hon. Minister state, with regard to the decisions taken by all these institutions to date since eight-months, whether it is in terms of recruitment and other administrative functions, have these decisions today been overtaken by him or his Permanent Secretary or have they been left on autopilot?

I can assure the hon. Member that there has been no recruitment on permanent basis during this month.

My second question. That is precisely my point, Madam Speaker, in fact there is, for example, at University of Mauritius for the medical department, there is the lack of trained doctors who come to…

Question please!

Is the Minister aware that there is a dire need of decisions to be taken by these councils as their statutory …

That’s good! That’s your question!

54

… framework provide and that since eight months, as he has admitted himself, they are paralysed. Is that acceptable to the taxpayer?

Let me tell the hon. Member, for the first time we have doubled the number of students following medical courses at University of Mauritius and the programmes are running well. The programme depends on a number of professionals working part-time in our hospitals, both public and private. So, I can assure the hon. Member that I am fully aware and the situation is under control.

Last!

That is precisely, Madam Speaker…

No, do not make statements!

…because of operational capacity now, because of the number of students that have increased while the operational capacity has been fully stretched out and needs a Council to appoint new personnel.

The hon. Member has taken the example of Medicine where we need both people who are practising. So, we depend a lot on part-time tutors that the universities can recruit under their own regulation because they are not full-time. So, I can assure the hon. Member that the universities are allowed to take professionals who are practising because they need to teach our students about the practical skills and this is being done.

Okay! Next question! Give me time now to find where I am. There is one question which has already been replied, that is, question B/742, that we have already had. ERNEST FLORENT, OLIVIA & BRAMSTHAN – FOOTBALL PLAYGROUNDS – UPGRADING OF AMENITIES