Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth addressed the Transforming Education Summit on Monday 19 September 2022, in the wake of the 77th United Nations General Assembly in New York.
More than 100 UN member states attended the summit to discuss ways to transform education and youth development in all its diversity.
In a video message broadcast at the United Nations, the Prime Minister affirmed that education remains a human right and that it must be accessible to the population in an equitable and inclusive manner.
The Head of Government added that since 2015, Mauritius has been committed to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 4, which calls for quality education and lifelong learning opportunities for all. To achieve this goal, the country spends between 4% and 6% of its gross domestic product on education each year.
The Prime Minister also spoke about the impact of COVID-19 on education. The pandemic has triggered a deep reflection that has resulted in proactive actions to ensure continuity and resilience of learning.
Mr Pravind Jugnauth explained that Mauritius has been able to develop and effectively implement strategies such as distance learning. The government has given special attention to students from vulnerable groups so that they too can fully benefit from the accelerated digitalisation of the education system.
The Head of Government listed a series of actions that Mauritius is consolidating towards inclusive education. These include a multi-partner education mechanism to promote inclusive schools, especially for students who require special attention.
Mauritius is also committed to mobilising the necessary resources to improve and harmonise pre-primary schools to ensure that every child can benefit from a quality education from an early age.
The digital learning infrastructure will be enhanced. This involves investment in infrastructure and connectivity, updating curricula to the new realities and training teachers to meet the demands of a new pedagogy.
Teachers will be trained at various levels with the integration of continuous professional development programmes.
The education provided will promote critical analysis and entrepreneurial skills in students. It will also develop socio-emotional skills that can reinforce societal and multicultural values. Climate change education will also be given a more prominent place in the education of our young people.
