Awardees from Le Bocage International School, Sir Leckraz Teelock State Secondary School and Queen Elizabeth College received, on Wednesday, during a ceremony held at the State House in Réduit, Gold certificates and badges after having successfully completed the Gold level of the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award-Mauritius programme.
The awardees received their badge from the President of the Republic of Mauritius, Mr Prithvirajsing Roopun, and their Gold certificate from the Minister of Youth Empowerment, Sports and Recreation, Mr Stephan Toussaint. The British High-Commissioner to Mauritius, Ms Charlotte Pierre, and other personalities were also present on this occasion.
In his address, President Roopun congratulated the awardees for having completed the programme, as well as all those who had been by their side, namely their parents, teachers, tutors or mentors. He remarked that the award ceremony was an occasion to celebrate the award winners’ hard work, resilience, self-discipline and determination to complete the programme in difficult circumstances brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The President further underlined that the programme enabled participants to acquire a number of qualities and he encouraged awardees to apply what they have learnt in their daily life. Mr Roopun also urged them to inspire and guide others around them while being role models.
For his part, Minister Toussaint commended the awardees for the efforts put in so as to successfully complete the Gold level of the programme. He recalled that his Ministry had, for many years, the responsibility of running the programme, before reminding that it was free of charge in Mauritius.
He observed that the physical activity component was important and called on awardees to use what they had learnt so as to remain in good health.
