Madam Speaker, with regard to part (a) of the question, I am informed that currently 75 secondary schools are offering Kreol Morisien (KM) as a subject from Grade 7 onwards. Out of the 75 colleges, 26 are State Secondary Schools while 49 Private Secondary Schools. Presently, 28 KM educators are posted in in the State Secondary Schools, while 101 KM educators operating in the Private Secondary Schools are registered with the Private Secondary Education Authority. Madam Speaker, as regard part (b) of the question, I am informed that KM educators are posted in every state college wherein KM is offered as a subject. Private Secondary Schools offering KM also provide KM educators to students opting for the subject. Notwithstanding the above, I am informed that two students from one SSS, a college not offering KM as a subject sat for KM examinations for National Certificate of Education examinations. There is no report of any case whereby students have sat for School Certificate Examinations in KM without having a designated educator thereof. Madam Speaker, with regard to part (c) of the question, I am informed that an exercise was recently carried out for the recruitment of supply teachers including KM supply teachers during this financial year for State Colleges. Seven KM educators have also been recently recruited in Private Secondary Schools. In view of the upcoming budgetary exercise, my Ministry will submit its proposal to the Ministry of Finance for the recruitment of secondary educators which will include additional KM educators in view of the increasing number of students opting for the subject. Thank you.

Thank you. Yes!

Merci, Madame la présidente. L’honorable ministre peut-il dire à la Chambre si son ministère dispose d’un département dédié au Créole mauricien afin de traiter toutes les questions relatives à l’enseignement et au développement du Créole mauricien dans les écoles primaires et secondaires et si ce n’est pas le cas, peut-il nous donner les raisons ?

Madam Speaker, for the time being there is no dedicated department handling this and because it is rather new. This Government in 2025, introduced KM as a subsidiary subject in HSC and as from this year it is a main subject in HSC. Definitely, if need arises this department will be created as suggested by the hon. Member.

Okay.

Madame la présidente, rapidement. Étant donné qu’aucune démarche, comme vient de le confirmer l’honorable Ministre lui-même, de ce type n’a été entreprise depuis l’introduction du Créole mauricien en 2012. Il faut bien le préciser, l’honorable ministre, malgré qu’il l’a dit, je lui demande à nouveau, est-ce qu’il peut donner l’assurance à la Chambre que son ministère accordera l’attention nécessaire au Créole mauricien, la langue des mauriciens, en matant en place un département spécifiquement dédié à cette matière ?

Madam Speaker, again I will answer the hon. Member, if need arises within Ministry in order to create such a department, it would be done by affirmative.

Okay. Hon. Beechook!

Yes, Madame la présidente. Will the hon. Minister confirm whether students are made to choose either KM or Oriental languages, currently?

It is an optional subject, all right! It is an optional subject; they are proposed a series of subjects and out of these subjects, they have to choose. Yes, it is an optional subject.

Yes!

Therefore, will the hon. Minister consider the possibility to make it possible for Mauritian students to do both KM and Oriental languages, so that we do not have to choose one language either KM or an Oriental language?

Madam Speaker, in practical terms, this has to be studied whether, as suggested by the hon. Member, this can be proposed or not because it has technicalities involved in it because we are talking about timetabling, we are talking about teacher availability. It has a lot of implications. So, this has to be studied before a direct answer can be provided to the hon. Member.

Very interesting, very interesting! Next question please! Yes, hon. Rookny! GLOBAL BUSINESS COMPANIES – APPLICATIONS FOR LICENCES – DELAYS & PROGRESS REPORT