The distribution of school materials kits and the remittance of cash grants to 10,802 students across the Republic of Mauritius by the National Empowerment Foundation (NEF), operating under the aegis of the Ministry of Social Integration, Social Security and National Solidarity, kicked off, testerday, following a ceremony held at the Paul Octave Wiéhé Auditorium in Réduit.
The Minister of Social Integration, Social Security and National Solidarity, Mrs Fazila Jeewa-Daureeawoo; the Chairman of the NEF, Dr Mohamud Raffick Sorefan; the Chief Executive Officer of the NEF, Mr Jean Nel Alain Aliphon; and other personalities were present at the event where school material kits and uniform were remitted symbolically to some 250 beneficiaries.
In her speech for the occasion, Mrs Fazila Jeewa-Daureeawoo put forward the social conscience of Government in ensuring the balance between economic development and the social welfare of the population, in particular the elderly, disabled persons and vulnerable families. She cited as example the Ministry’s efforts to see to it that student’s education whether at pre-primary, primary, secondary or tertiary levels was not hampered due to lack of educational materials and financial support.
Moreover, Mrs Jeewa-Daureeawoo stressed the importance of parents in their role as principle care givers and educators of their children. She urged parents to assume their responsibilities fully, while underlining the facilities offered by Government to help them shoulder their parental duties in order for their children to complete their schooling and even pursue higher studies.
According to Mrs Jeewa-Daureeawoo, the Marshall Plan against Poverty, effective as from 2016, provides a well-defined framework which set clear parameters and criteria to help vulnerable families and improve their quality of life. The priority areas, mentioned by the Minister to assist the most vulnerable groups and as highlighted in the Marshall Plan against Poverty, include education, financial support, training of beneficiaries, housing facilities and cultivating family values.
The Minister also reiterated Government’s commitment to assist children from disadvantaged families, especially those registered under the Social Register of Mauritius, to continue their schooling for as long as required. She talked of the Free Examination Fees Scheme which had been introduced to enable needy students to improve their education performance by giving them the opportunity to resit examinations for the School Certificate or Higher School Certificate, free of charge.
In addition, Mrs Jeewa-Daureeawoo affirmed that Government would elaborate new measures in its bid to protect the most vulnerable people of the country.
