A prize-giving ceremony and a Souvenir Magazine were launched, on Thursday in Curepipe College, in the context of the 60th anniversary, the ‘Diamond Jubilee’, of the institution. The Vice-Prime Minister, Minister of Education, Tertiary Education, Science and Technology, Mrs Leela Devi Dookhun-Luchoomun, was present as the Chief Guest.
The ceremony was attended by other personalities, namely the Mayor of Curepipe Mr Hans Marguerite, the Manager and Rector of Curepipe College, Mr Neetesh Raj Sewpal, ex-teachers, and alumni of the College, along with the current teaching and administrative staff of the College and the students.
In her address, Vice-Prime Minister Dookun-Luchoomun extended her congratulations to Curepipe College on its 60th anniversary. She highlighted those 60 years in the life of an institution devoted to sustaining efforts to impart education is an achievement. It is also a time to reflect upon and to reminisce on the contribution of the founding members of the school, to appreciate the journey covered and the achievements made so far, she said.
Speaking about the COVID-19 pandemic, the Vice-Prime Minister recalled that digitalisation has become part of the new normal which has recourse to blended learning—one that combines traditional in-presence, teacher-to-student lessons with technology-based learning. This demands new skills, new and appropriate pedagogies. It also demands innovation, extension and hence investment in the digital infrastructure, she added.
In that context, she urged for greater collaborative engagement among educators. She expressed her wish to see every school become a learning site where several opportunities can be unpacked for educators to exchange experiences, share good practices, build strong relationships and strategic partnerships, and develop communities of practice.
As for the Manager and Rector of Curepipe College, Mr Neetesh Raj Sewpal, he rejoiced that the institution has witnessed continuous progress over the past six decades. Retracing the history of the College, he highlighted that it has been marked by growth, progress, modernisation, and innovation.
He recalled that his vision is to keep pace with the changes in education and transform Curepipe College into a secondary school equipped with modern amenities to provide the best facilities to pupils and staff. Massive investments, he pointed out, have been carried out towards infrastructural progress of the school such as the renovation of classrooms and specialist rooms.
Furthermore, he said that over the past decade, the College has had an average of 1,000 pupils and 125 staff members. A wide range of subjects are also offered such as Travel and Tourism, Physical Education, and Kreol Morisien, which has widened the choice of students catering for different preferences, he added.
On that occasion, educators were rewarded for their long and meritorious service during a Prize Giving Ceremony. A Souvenir magazine, which chronicles the important achievements and important events of the institution, was also launched.
Curepipe College
The history of Curepipe College stretches back to 1962 during the pre–independence period. The school was founded by late Mr Jeean Mohabeer Sonah, a well-known businessman whose most cherished dream was to see all Mauritians educated. The school started with only seven classrooms, one chemistry laboratory, one physics laboratory and a school population of about 100 students.
The main aim of Curepipe College is to provide quality education to students. For the academic year 2020 – 2021, Curepipe College has achieved a pass rate of 80 % at Cambridge School Certificate level and 70 % at Cambridge Higher School Certificate.
