Madam Speaker, I am informed by the National Social Inclusion Foundation (NSIF) that the Fortified Learning Environment (FLE) National Programme was introduced in the year 2020. The Extended Programme Tutors is one segment of the Fortified Learning Environment (FLE) Programme, and its aim is to provide educational, psychosocial and family support to secondary school students experiencing learning difficulties and roll on the former Extended Programme (EP), now known as the Foundation Programme for Literacy, Numeracy and Skills (FPLNS). Madam Speaker, I am also informed by the NSIF that there are 166 staff in Mauritius, and 21 in Rodrigues, who have been recruited under the FLE programme on contract basis at various point in time in the year 2023 and year 2024 for a duration of five years. Under the specific Extended Programme Tutors, there are presently 50 staff. The contract of 38 of the staff will terminate in 2028 and 13 of the staff's contract of five years will terminate in 2029. Therefore, in view of what I have just highlighted, no contract is due to expire soon. This would be my reply to the first question, Madam Speaker. In regard to the second part of the question, the whole role of NSIF in regards to Fortified Learning Environment (FLE) Programme is being reassessed. Should the NSIF, which is the NGO funding agency arm of the State, be itself the provider of social programme such as FLE? This is the question under discussion right now. Should it not be the Ministry of Education or another institution such as the National Empowerment Foundation? This is also on the under discussion. In any case, any change in policy will be discussed with all stakeholders, including the NSIF, FLE employees to ensure continuity of their employment and long-term programme effectiveness. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Thank you. Yes, one question.

Merci, Madame la présidente, j'ai bien compris la réponse du ministre qui est très claire. Néanmoins, j'aurais voulu poser une question, est-ce que l'honorable ministre pourrait-il confirmer à la Chambre combien d'employés sont concernés par l'arrivée à terme de ces contrats ? Le gouvernement ou la NCIF envisage-t-il d'offrir à ces employés un emploi permanent ou toute forme d'intégration durable au sein de la fonction publique, d'un organisme paraétatique ou de la NSIF compte tenu de leurs 5 années de service continu ? Merci.

As I have just stated, Madam Speaker, there are 166 staff in Mauritius and 21 staff in Rodrigues. For the specific programme in the question of the hon. Member, there are 50 staff in the Extended Programme Tutors and no contract is being expired now. They will expire in 2028 and 2029. So, there is no issue on termination of contract now. Then we will have to discuss if there are kind of redeployment in any other institution. This will be discussed with the preservation on their acquired rights. You can rest on me. I am an ex-trade unionist.

Yes, hon. Second Member for Flacq and Bon Accueil. ST JULIEN D’HOTMAN JUNCTION & RICHE FOND – B24 ROAD – FLOOD MITIGATION MEASURES