Being a student of Le Bocage International School Mauritius (LBISM) is one of the best things that could happen to a young Mauritian. It enables us to acquire a wide knowledge on different people and beliefs from all over the world. Society should feel proud to have an international school representing the country in various activities throughout the world.

LBISM is an English-medium school. Other than in foreign language classes, English is the medium of communication with academic staff. The use of English outside the classroom is encouraged and practised. The academic programme fosters continuity and coherence of learning. It emphasizes preparation for higher education both in Mauritius and abroad. LBISM is involved in scores of activities such as the Model United Nations, in which our students represent our country in annual conferences in France. The Amnesty International Club, affiliated to Amnesty International in the UK, is one of the most active clubs representing the country in several conferences in England. The Duke of Edinburgh Club enables our students to participate in activities such camping, hiking and biking to develop their skills. Our school also has the PAWS club where we look after stray animals. Furthermore, our annual charity walks raise funds for homes, orphanages and needy people. Last year, we had the honor of organising a concert in which other schools namely, Loreto College Quatre-Bornes, participated to raise finds to help the victims of a natural calamity.

Why do we do all this? The answer is that, as a school forming part of this society, we feel right to help where we are needed and represent our country. But we get the impression that we are viewed from a negative perspective by other students. So we have decided to form a student team to voice out how we perceive this problematic situation.

Le Bocage seems to have the reputation of having a lot of bullying, violence and an extreme lack of discipline. Why is there so much prejudice against us? This institution has been accredited by the European Council of International Schools, with no violence going on and it has a strict code of conduct. Le Bocage has uniform policies which are adhered to and we are taught to be civil and develop a kind and mature approach to the environment and to people.

Moreover, Le Bocage students are often defined as ?zanfan kapitalis?. We do not see what wrong we do to them but we assume that, since we speak fluent English, we are seen as arrogant and snobbish. We are a private school meaning that our parents pay fees to make sure we have the best education. But somehow this has passed a distorted message to other students who believe that, since we can afford this private institution, we are ?different? from them. Different in terms of social background and religious background? Probably yes. But aren?t we still human beings? Why should we feel separated from our society as if we are not Mauritian youngsters? Occasionally we have been given the ?white? stereotype because our school has expatriate students. Have not those students realised that we have ?white? students who are Mauritian-born? As we are in a multi-racial country, we should be anti-racist. Instead we are described as ?zelev racis? ? have these students not realised what impact this has on us? Do they really know what the word RACIST really means? Well, schools like Le Bocage, Lycée Labourdonnais, Lycée des Mascareignes and Northfields International School, can be models of anti-racism by showing interaction between every student, notwithstanding their religious or social background or the colour of their skin.

We are ?booed? when we make mistakes in inter-college sports and have to bear vulgar, disrespectful and exaggerated comments from participants of other schools. They make a mountain out of a molehill about petty stuff just to show that we are inferior. Since when did human IQ levels differ that much to show who is superior or who is inferior? We are demotivated and discouraged. We are bullied and harassed. We show that we are friendly just like other students and involve them in our school activities but we are still discriminated against. Well, even though we have to go through this ill treatment, we do not back off and we still say that we shall work hard, even harder to become better future citizens of this country to help Mauritius develop with our successful International Baccalaureate Diploma in our hands. We shall show that because Le Bocage International School is a private school, this does not mean that it is not part of Mauritius. We do form part of the puzzle!

<B>V. TIRVASSEN,

D. WOOTTUN

& P. ADDINGADOO</B>