Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, my Ministry has been made aware of seven alleged cases of child ill-treatment at the Twaha Academy Boarding School. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, on 01 April 2026, the Family Support Service of Flacq was contacted by the Bel Air Rivière Sèche Police Station to report that two minors, M. Z. Z. H. M., aged 15 and, M. A. I., aged 14 had stated that one Mr A. P., Principal at the Twaha Academy Boarding School, had once given them a cigarette to smoke, after which, they felt dizzy. The officers were informed that the two minors had been convened to record their statements on 02 April 2026. The Police was advised to inform the minors and their parents to attend the Family Support Service of Flacq after recording their statements at the police station. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I am informed that on 02 April 2026, the Bel-Air Rivière Sèche Police Station was contacted by my officers as neither the minors nor their parents had attended the Family Support Service of Flacq. The Police informed that the minors, in the presence of their respective mothers, had recorded their statements at the Bel-Air Rivière Sèche Police Station and that an alleged case of child ill-treatment had been entered under OB 1158/26 as a pre-measure against the principal of the institution, Mr A.P. It is to be noted that no case of sexual abuse was reported under that OB number. However, the Family Support Service of Flacq contacted the parents of the minors and explained the services offered by the Ministry, but the parents declined that their children be medically examined and did not wish any psychological support. They were, however, provided with the contact details of the Family Support Service for future reference. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, on 07 April 2026, the Bel-Air Rivière Sèche Police Station informed the Family Support Service of Flacq that a 13-year-old minor, M.S.N.B., had recorded a statement in the presence of his mother in connection with an alleged case of child ill-treatment, and OB1245/2026 was entered. As per the statement, the child had been slapped on his cheek by the principal of the institution, Mr A.P. On the same day, the minor M.S.N.B., accompanied by his mother, attended the Family Support Service of Flacq, where he reported that he had been a victim of both physical and verbal abuse by Mr A.P. On the following day, he was medically examined by the Police Medical Officer at Line Barracks. My Ministry has provided the minor and his mother with psychological assistance. A review had been scheduled for 23 April 2026. Follow-up sessions are being maintained by the FSS of Flacq. On 09 April 2026, another minor, M.S.D.A., 11 years old, made a statement to the police station, in the presence of his father, to the effect that he was, on several occasions, assaulted by Mr A.P., the last time being in March 2026, with a mop stick. He was examined by the Police Medical Officer on 14 April 2026. On 11 April 2026, one person named M.M.H.N., now 18 years old, reported that when he was 17 years old and a student at Twaha Academy Boarding School, he was assaulted by Mr A.P. He did not want to be medically examined. On 13 April 2026, another minor, S.Z.B., aged 13 years, accompanied by his mother, made a statement at Bel-Air Rivière Sèche Police Station in connection with OB1158/26 child abuse case. On the same day, minor S.Z.B. and his mother attended the Family Support Service of Flacq. He related that he joined Twaha Academy Boarding School since November 2025, and in February 2026, Mr A.P. had hit him with a bamboo stick. He further stated that in March 2026, Mr A.P. had hit him on his head as he was scratching his eyes during prayer time. On the same day, minor S.Z.B. was seen by a psychologist of my Ministry, and the case was referred to FSS Triolet for further assessment. On 21 April, minor M.A.I., aged 14 years, student of the Twaha Academy Boarding School, stated, in the presence of his mother, that he was assaulted by Mr A.P. on several occasions, but he refused to be medically examined. On the same day, another minor, M.Z.Z.H.M., aged 15, student of the Twaha Academy Boarding School, made a statement, in the presence of his mother, that he was assaulted by Mr A.P. on several occasions. I am informed that a police enquiry is ongoing on the allegations made against the principal of the Twaha Academy Boarding School. I am further informed that the Twaha Academy Boarding School has ceased its operation since 31 March 2026.

Yes, I will allow you a supplementary, but be careful. There is still a police enquiry going on, and we do not want to prejudice the police enquiry.

Oui, il n’y a pas de problème.

So, be careful with your supplementary!

Ne vous inquiétez pas, M. le président. Ne vous inquiétez pas. M. le président, je vous remercie de me donner l’opportunité de poser quelques questions supplémentaires. La ministre peut-elle indiquer à la Chambre, dans cette affaire aussi grave et traumatisante, comment se portent les enfants victimes, ainsi que leurs familles ? Merci.

M. le président, à ce jour, ce matin, je n’ai pas eu les nouvelles des enfants et des parents.

Last one!

S’il vous plaît, M. le président.

Put your question and I will see whether…

La ministre peut-elle déposer sur la table de l’Assemblée un relevé précis et daté du nombre de séances de soutien psychologique effectivement dispensées aux victimes et à leurs parents ? Je vous remercie, M. le président.

M. le président, je ne suis pas en présence de ces informations right now.

Une dernière, M. le président.

Allez, une dernière !

Je vous remercie, M. le président. La ministre peut-elle indiquer à la Chambre si son ministère a réellement la capacité d’assumer un suivi psychologique régulier et efficace compte tenu du nombre d’enfants qui se sont manifestés – vous avez d’ailleurs listé les victimes –, ainsi que de leurs familles, ou admet-elle que les ressources actuelles sont insuffisantes pour répondre à l’ampleur des besoins ? Je vous remercie, M. le président.

M. le président, je pense que les psychologues sont suffisamment qualifiés pour support the families. Mais, toujours est-il que les ressources ne seront jamais suffisantes.

The hon. Second Member for Flacq & Bon Accueil! CONSTITUENCY NO. 9 – PUBLIC TRANSPORT – ADDITIONAL BUS ROUTES & TAXI LICENCES