The introduction of the Technology Education Pathway in the curriculum for students of Grades 10 and 11 is part of ongoing reforms aimed at diversifying educational offerings at the secondary level. The project, which is a new and modern approach to learning, will be implemented on a pilot basis in some 10 schools as from January 2024.
The Vice-Prime Minister (VPM), Minister of Education, Tertiary Education, Science and Technology, Mrs Leela Devi Dookun-Luchoomun, made this announcement, Friday, during a press conference held in Ebène.
VPM Dookun-Luchoomun highlighted that learners must be equipped with the proper knowledge and competencies, including soft skills and entrepreneurial faculties, that will best serve their capacity to respond to technological innovations. She remarked that the main aim is to provide students at the end of the basic education cycle with an appealing and viable alternative to the existing programmes of study at these levels.
The VPM underlined that Technology Education is meant to be student-centric, providing a hands-on approach accompanied by an innovative pedagogy that fosters personalised learning experiences. The other objectives of this project, which is being implemented with the collaboration of the British Council and consultants from the United Kingdom, are to: diversify educational offerings in Grades 10 and 11 with a credible, coherent and high-quality learning pathway; promote learner achievement towards skills for the future; and provide a solid foundation for higher level skills development through a mix of academic and technology focus.
Furthermore, the Vice-Prime Minister observed that students may join the Technology Education Pathway after successful completion of the National Certificate of Education. After Grade 11, students can either complete their A-level studies in their secondary schools (Grades 12 and 13) or opt for technology studies in the Institute of Technical Education and Technology centres and join Polytechnics and Universities thereafter, she stated.
It is recalled that there will be five core subjects (Applied Mathematics, English, French, Applied Sciences, Skills for Life) and three elective subjects from different clusters, namely, Engineering Technology, Health and Hospitality, and Computer Technology and Innovation, for students to choose from. A National School Certificate will be awarded to students by the University of Mauritius following the successful completion of their curriculum and exams.
The Technology Education Pathway will be implemented in the following schools: Goodlands SSS; Royal College Port Louis; Islamic Cultural College; Camp de Masque State College; MG SSS Moka; New Eton College; Emmanuel Anquetil SSS; Sookdeo Bissoondoyal State College; Loreto Mahebourg College; and Swami Sivananda SSS.
To date, some 200 students have already expressed interest for the Technology Education.
