the maintenance and upgrading of the infrastructure of public primary and secondary schools across Mauritius…
(No. A/1) Dr. Ms B. Thannoo (Second Member for Quartier Militaire & Moka) asked the Minister of Education and Human Resource whether, in regard to the maintenance and upgrading of the infrastructure of public primary and secondary schools across Mauritius, he will state – (a) the annual budget allocated therefor; (b) the costs of addressing urgent repairs required thereat to ensure health and safety requirements of both children and staff, and (c) whether his Ministry will ensure that the most urgent infrastructural works are undertaken immediately to protect both children and staff.
Reply: As regards part (a) of the question, the annual budget allocated to maintenance and upgrading works for the Financial Year 2025/26 is Rs50 million and Rs147.5 million respectively. As regards part (b) of the question, urgent repairs required to ensure that health and safety standards are maintained for both students and staff, an amount of approximately Rs115.8 million (Rs22.1 million for maintenance works and Rs93.7 million for upgrading works) has already been spent in the current Financial Year. As regards part (c) of the question, I wish to assure the hon. Member that my Ministry is committed to improve the condition of school infrastructure through regular inspections, reports from school, Zonal Directorates, Occupational Safety and Health Unit and technical assessments carried out by the relevant stakeholders. The most urgent infrastructural works are prioritised and implemented in a phased manner. It is to be noted that the implementation of works rests on availability of funds, outcome of procurement exercises and/or appointment of Contractor under the Framework Agreement of the MNI. SMALL FARMERS WELFARE FUND – VETERINARY OFFICERS – RECRUITMENT