Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, as regards part (a) of the question, according to the existing scheme of service for the post of Director at the Early Childhood Care and Education Authority, candidates should inter alia possess the following qualifications and experience – (a) A Cambridge Higher School Certificate or passes in at least 2 subjects obtained on one certificate at the General Certificate of Education “Advanced Level”; (b) A degree in Education or Management or Business Administration from a recognised institution; (c) A Master’s degree in Education or Management or Business Administration from a recognised institution; or (d) Equivalent qualifications to those qualifications I mentioned in part (a) (b) and (c) which are acceptable to the board.

49 In addition, candidates should, among others, reckon at least five years experience in the education sector inclusive of experience in early childhood care and education. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, the scheme of service for the above post further provides under the note section inter alia that – “Candidates who, as at 30 June 2008, did not possess a Cambridge Higher School Certificate or passes in at least 2 subjects obtained on one certificate at the General Certificate of Education “Advanced Level” will also be considered provided they hold – (a) A Cambridge School Certificate or Passes obtained on one certificate the General Certificate of Education “Ordinary Level” either – (b) – (i) in 5 subjects, including English Language with at least Grade C in any 2 subjects, or (ii) in 6 subjects, including English Language with at least Grade C in any one subject, or (iii) an equivalent qualification acceptable to the board, and (c) A PHD or a second Masters Degree or a Post Graduate Diploma from a recognised institution or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the board.” Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, as for part (b) of the question, I am informed that the post has not been advertised, and as such, the other parts of the question are not applicable. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, with regard to part (c) of the question, I am informed that at its special board meeting held on 20 August 2025, the ECCEA board has unanimously approved that the present officer in charge of ECCEA be assigned the duties of director pending the filling of the post. As is the current practice, assignment of duties is made on ground of administrative convenience and does not give the incumbent any claim for appointment. Thank you.

Thank you.

Yes, may I?

Supplementary?

50

Yes. The hon. Minister has cited Section 9 of the Act that the person must have recognised qualifications. Can the hon. Minister say whether the person whom the board has proposed, does he have the qualifications, that is, a degree which is recognised by the Higher Education Commission (HEC) and a Master’s Degree as well, recognised by the HEC?

Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, the board will take cognizance of the qualifications and so on. I need to check this with the board.

My second question. The hon. Minister might be aware that this exercise is being done internally. The hon. Minister is not in a position right now to say whether the person possesses the recognised qualifications. That person stands to gain three times her salary once she is promoted as Acting Director. She earns around Rs60,000. She will earn, including gratuity, Rs160,000. Therefore, the question is that the hon. Minister should ensure, before appointing that candidate, that her degree and master are indeed recognised.

I will leave it to the Board to do the needful. Definitely, someone will have to manage that institution which is a very important institution and we should not be targeting people uselessly.

The hon. Third Member for Port-Louis North and Montagne Longue! CITÉ LA CURE – AREA HEALTH CENTRE – DENTAL SERVICES