There are lots of reasons for feeling dismayed these days in view of the recent tragic events that have shaken the country. The incidents at two girls colleges involving students of an ?elite? college after the announcement of the HSC laureates are a very unfortunate addition to the list of unbearable acts perpetrated in Mauritius.

A horde of students from Royal College Curepipe visited at least two girls? colleges in Curepipe (Hindu Girls and Loreto College Curepipe) and ended up at Loreto College Quatre Bornes (LCQB) where they pounced on the locked gates. The management of LCQB, used to ?soft manifestations? every year, had decided to avoid disturbance to classes. However, these students, who were smoking cigarettes and most probably drunk (according to accounts of teachers who smelled alcohol) were not deterred. By dint of pushing at the gate, they finally gained access.

This is where the story becomes really unbelievable. They invaded the classrooms of LCQB and started perpetrating acts totally devoid of any of the respect due to young girls. They started swearing, threw urine and bottles at pupils? In short, as the staff of the school describes it, ?girls were confronted with their first experience of hooliganism.? And the girls were all the more shocked by these incidents as they are in Form 1. As the boys didn?t get any reaction from the terrified girls, they went out and started painting graffiti on the walls of the school and nearby church. The police had to be called to sort them out.

Royal College Curepipe is known as one of the most prestigious state schools. Its HSC results are among the best every year with a large number of laureates. Hence, the behaviour of some of its students mars the reputation not only of this college but of the whole education system in Mauritius. It is even said that at least one laureate was part of the ?party.?

Of course, this sordid manifestation was done by only a small group from the college. Other students or former students of the RCC insist on the fact that this has nothing to do with this school?s ?culture?. ?We all agree on the fact that we can celebrate the event but they should not go beyond certain boundaries. This year?s students of the RCC do not seem to have any such notion,? says a school leaver.

These incidents indeed raise the problem of the real meaning and aim of education. Should it be just academic, as it seems to be at the moment? Of course not! Schools should show students the way to academic excellence- this is not questioned. However, they should also provide their students with values and principles, which will allow them to grow into responsible adults. They need to be taught about human values and respect for others to enable them to see the difference between good and evil and avoid such excesses.

This is precisely where RCC seems to have failed. The rector says she will take sanctions. She is already thinking about a way of restoring the good reputation of her college. These are good moves but more is obviously needed.

Many of its students are very bright and will leave school to become great businessmen, politicians or leaders in various fields? They are supposed to be the elite of the country. But, apart from their academic learning, what do they really know about life and human relationships? What happened last week is indeed proof. If this is what trade unionist and future politician Tengur wants to reintroduce into the education system (star schools, elitism), it is definitely not what the country needs or wants.

Education is still too ?bookish?. Do students have to be ?victims of swotting? to the exclusion of everything else? Why can?t a sense of civic responsibility be conveyed and acquired with the same energy? Of course, we cannot only blame the ?system? for these faux pas. Parents also have their role to play in the education of their wards. But I don?t feel authorised to lecture parents on that account? They surely know more about it than I do?

However, if what happened last week is a hint of what the adults of tomorrow will be like, I don?t want to be a part of that world. There?s nothing to look forward to from such irresponsible individuals. The reform of the educational system has been going on for quite some time already? It definitely needs some rethinking?