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Jacques de NAVACELLE
<I>Director of the Joint Economic Council (JEC)</I>
<B>The minister of Education has appealed to the private sector to help employees pay their children’s exam fees. Had you had any consultations with minister Gokhool before he made his public request?</B>
We had some informal discussions with officers of the ministry who asked us what we could do. But we have not had any official request directly and we have not made much progress on the issue so far.
What was your reaction when you were informed of their request?</B>
When the government asks for some help from the private sector, we can only agree. It is true that private companies already do a lot for the country but we will see to what extent we can help.
<B>Isn’t it a way for the government to shift its responsibility on to the shoulders of the private sector?</B>
I do not think this is the real issue. Education was declared free by Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam and that was an audacious and important decision at the time but free education has ended up being very costly today. As there are many things lacking in our national education system, many pupils do have to go for private tuition, which is really expensive. Likewise, transport, clothes and books have started to cost a lot and education has gradually stopped being free. As the state does not have a lot of financial means, one of the best solutions may indeed be to turn towards the private sector. If the state can’t afford to pay, “someone else” will have to do it. And the private sector is ready to do it but we must see which form these grants may take and if companies have the means to help. There is a perception that the private sector has a lot of money but this is not true for all companies.
Have you already considered the criteria under which grants could be allocated?</B>
There are institutions – mainly banks – that are in a position to grant loans but they will not do so unless they have the guarantee that the person will be able to reimburse his/her debts afterwards. For those who can’t afford reimbursement, there may be no other alternative than the private companies. For instance, a company that pays an employee every month has the possibility of deducting a fixed amount every month from their salaries. But this is no solution for those already living from hand to mouth. So, the private sector has accepted to see how they might help those people – otherwise than through traditional channels.
<B>Will you meet the ministry soon to discuss the issue?</B>
We will first have internal discussions at the level of the JEC and with the private sector in general to gather ideas and try to bring out a proposal. It is only then that we will go and discuss with the ministry.
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