The Ministry of Education and Human Resources administers and regulates the public schools in the Republic of Mauritius, and also serves in a supervisory role in the operation of private schools in the country, while higher education is undertaken by the Ministry of Tertiary Education, Science, Research and Technology, and vocational education is regulated by the Mauritius Qualification Authority.
Upon achieving independence in 1968, education became a priority of the new government, which invested heavily in the education sectors. Primary and secondary education has been free in Mauritania since 1976, and through the post-secondary level since 1988. Despite tight budgets, the government has managed to continuously improve the country's schools and to extend access to an education for its people, even to providing a subsidy for private religious schools, largely those operated by the Catholic Church.
The educational system in Mauritius is based on the British system, stemming from the country's previous status as a British colony. There are four sections to its educational system: pre-primary, primary, secondary, and tertiary, as well as a provision for vocational training and alternative education program for drop-outs.
Pre-primary schools are generally operated by private or religious schools, and serve children as young as three. From the ages of five to eleven, children attend primary school, which is concluded with a national examination leading to the Certificate of Primary Education. Those who pass may proceed to secondary school, while those who score highly may be admitted directly to a National secondary school. Otherwise, secondary education is a seven-year program, with a National assessment given in the third year. After Form IV, secondary students are streamlined into the subjects they choose. Upon conclusion of the fifth year of secondary school, students take the Cambridge School Certificate examination which, if passed, will entitle the student to continue for another two years, to achieve the Higher School Certificate.
English and French are compulsory, and students are also given the option of learning any of the several other languages in use in Mauritius, which may include Arabic, Bhojpuri, Hindi, Mandarin, Marathi, Sanskrit, Tamil, Telugu, and Urdu. Italian or Spanish may also be taught. Mauritian Creole is introduced in primary school.
Pre-primary school is compulsory for 3-5 year-old students, with no prerequisite. Primary school (age 5-11) is compulsory, with Pre-Primary completion as a prerequisite. Lower Secondary school (age 12-16) requires a Certificate of Primary Education and is also compulsory. Upper Secondary (17-20) is optional and requires a Form III Certificate for School Certificate and a School Certificate for Higher School Certificate. Tertiary school is an optional program for students 18 years old or older, requires a Higher School Certificate, and may lead to a Bachelor's, Master's, PhD. or other academic degrees.
A vocational stream is available for those who wish to achieve career or technical qualifications, or who are unable to qualify to continue along an academic stream, and may lead to three levels of National Trade Certificates or to post-secondary qualifications.
The Republic of Mauritius has a literacy rate approaching ninety percent, only slightly higher among men than among women. More than twelve percent of the government's expenditures are on education.
Due to the competitiveness of the educational system, students whose parents could afford to do so have hired private tutors to assist their children after school hours and on weekends. In response to what was viewed by some as an unfair advantage, the government banned private tuitions for primary students in Standards I to III, and later extended the ban to Standard IV, introducing a enhancement program as an alternative to private tuitions.
Mauritius has several colleges, universities, and technical institutions at the higher levels. Notable are the Open University of Mauritius, the University of Mauritius, and the University of Technology, Mauritius. Others include the Mauritius Institute of Education, the Mahatma Gandhi Institute, the Mauritius College of the Air, and several foreign educational institutions with branch colleges in Mauritius.
Topics that are related in any way to teaching, learning, or education in Mauritius are appropriate for this category. These may include site representing specific schools in Mauritius or those discussing the status of education within the country.
Recommended Resources
The ALU is a network of tertiary educational institutions with campuses and operations in Mauritius and Rwanda, its purpose being to create African leaders, offering accredited programs and degrees at the undergraduate, postgraduate, and executive education levels. Its degrees and programs are defined, and its approach, learning model, policies, and leadership are defined, its campuses are identified, and its career development and overseas programs are included.
https://www.alueducation.com/
AMC is an international college offering the Bachelor of Medicine and the Bachelor of Surgery programs through a mix of structured lectures, lab, and clinical training activities. Registered with the Tertiary Education Commission of the Government of Mauritius, the school, its teaching hospital, and guest hostels are highlighted, along with a calendar of events, admissions programs, and affiliations.
http://www.annamedicalcollege.com/
Affiliated with Curtin University in Australia, the CTI is a private tertiary education institution in Mauritius, where it offers certificate, diploma, undergraduate, and postgraduate degree programs. Its founders, academic partners, courses, and international programs are set forth, along with its academic and library services, student services, bookshop, and its various centers and contacts.
http://www.telfair.ac.mu/
Situated in the northern region of Mauritius, the Christian school is in session from January to December, and separated into three twelve-week terms. A typical day at school is described here, including school hours, directions, and admissions policies. The school’s philosophy of education, curriculum, and announcements are posted to the site, along with an appeal for support.
http://www.lighthouseprimaryschool.org/
Mauritius Institute of Education
Set up in 1973, the MIE works under the supervision of the Ministry of Education and Human Resources, charged with modernizing the educational system of Mauritius and developing its teaching staff. Its research, programs, courses, and quality assistance resources are set forth, along with curriculum materials, projects, library resources, and its open and distance learning programs.
http://www.mie.ac.mu/
Mauritius Qualifications Authority
The MQA is the government organization charged with establishing educational standards and accrediting qualifications, by level and stage of education. The national qualifications framework, accredited programs, training providers, and recognition of prior learning are set forth on the agencies site, and students may apply online, ask questions, make suggestions, view a schedule of workshops, or access annual reports, magazines, and flyers.
http://www.mqa.mu/
Northfields International School
Northfields is an independent international private school in Labourdonnais Village, Mauritius, which offers an English education for boys and girls between the ages of nine and eighteen, and is associated with the nearby Northfields Nursery and Junior School which caters for children from eighteen months for four years of age. Its admissions policies, faculties, job vacancies, and a gallery of photographs are featured.
http://www.northfieldsonline.com/
OU is a public university in Mauritius that specializes in distance education programs. With its administrative offices and a campus in Réduit, Moka, the university offers certificate, diploma, undergraduate, and postgraduate degrees through distance education. General information about the university is presented, as well as its policies, rules, and regulations, a list of courses and programs available, its fee structure, and a gallery of photographs. A private login is available for students.
http://www.open.ac.mu/
Begun in 2011, the office operates under the supervision of the Ministry of Tertiary Education, Science, Research and Technology, and is charged with advancing the government’s endeavor to make Mauritius a regional hub for tertiary education. The advantages to studying in Mauritius is put forth, along with suggestions as to where to study, what to study, and how to prepare for a stay, which includes a guide to living in Mauritius.
http://www.studymauritius.info/
Telfair International Primary School
TIPS is an English coeducational school in Tamarin, on the west coast of Mauritius. Opened in 2007, the school caters to children from five to twelve years of age, qualifying students to move on to one of the private secondary schools in Mauritius. Its location, school hours, and contacts are posted, along with its admissions policies, curriculum, a parent’s portal, and a photo gallery.
http://telfairprimary.com/
Founded in 2012, UDM is the fourth public university in the Republic of Mauritius, where it specializes in training students for the country’s service sectors in business related roles, such as international business transactions, distributive and retail operations, financial services, shipping, and other company operations. Its faculties, schools, and research facilities are identified, and students may enroll online.
https://udm.ac.mu/
Situated in Réduit, Moka, Mauritius, UoM is the national university of the Republic of Mauritius, as well as the oldest and largest in the country. Its management and operational structure, governance, staff profiles, benefactors, and collaboration with other institutions are published, including its admissions policies, entry requirements, individual programs, faculties, and research programs and facilities are included.
http://www.uom.ac.mu/
