“It is true that the government introduced it in the timetable but you know how it works. If a subject is not examinable, teachers will not do it – the more so as they can integrate the course into other classes,” the headteacher adds. And that’s the weak point! The educational system in Mauritius is focused on exams and results. “I do not think teachers have time to do citizenship education in their classrooms. Education at present is exam-oriented and does not train the child as a human being. The system does not give time to the most important facet of school,” the MES director comments.

The latter believes there are many ways of making children more aware of the multicultural dimension of our country. “The material at school could for instance make room for such values. Or every opportunity – like religious celebrations – could be seized to give more explanations about a specific culture.” The lecturer at the Mauritius Institute of Education (MIE), Rada Tirvassen, is of the same opinion, “The overall planning of the curriculum should involve the integration of those values in the different disciplines. The preparation of all books should be done with this in mind.”

However, for the MIE lecturer, “a great effort must be made at our own level, as adults. I can’t see how we can teach citizenship education to children who are themselves victims of racial abuse. How can we expect children to respect others if we do not do so ourselves?” So far, the educational system does not have the means to sensitise all those involved, according to Rada Tirvassen. “We should not introduce a subject in school while the behaviour of the people within the school does not correspond to the values inculcated at all.” Of course, the situation is not desperate and Mauritius is still a peaceful island. But some hypocrisy persists and school should help get rid of it!

SCHOOL PROGRAMME

<B>Making the most of our cultural richness</B>

■ As a result of the influence of a somewhat out-of-date version of the British system of education, our own educational system pays little or no attention to the multi-cultural heritage of our country. It is only relatively recently that there has been an attempt to recognise the existence of cultures other than the European model by introducing the study of oriental languages. And even now, this system is quite rigid with very little cross-cultural influence. Moreover, many pedagogues consider that the failure to create a place for Creole in education is a serious cultural drwback.

Our questions answered by...

<B>George Easton</B> <I>French teacher at Piton State School

<B>“Go off the beaten track“</B>

<B>Does school take the multicultural dimension of our society into consideration?</B>

Every system can be perceived as rigid and it is only with tenacity and perseverance that one can soften it. In fact, this depends on the teacher. Let me give you an example: I was invited by five schools to give a talk on the abolition of slavery. Instead of adopting a simplistic and reductive approach, I made the decision to adopt a more open one in order to make students aware of Mauritian history. Thanks to such small initiatives by teachers, I am sure important values can be taught.

<B> What is the situation in your school?</B>

Not only do teachers seize the opportunity of every class or the morning assembly to pass on such values to their pupils but this is also done at the level of the whole school. Every occasion or celebration is an opportunity for a little party. Each teacher or staff member will bring something from home and this is a way of learning from one another. It creates a whole atmosphere at school and pupils assimilate it very well.

<B>What qualities do rectors need so as to be able to implement citizenship and moral values?</B>

The most important thing is that pupils feel that their teachers are credible and sincere. As from that moment, everything becomes an excuse for intercultural education. Audacity and creativity are also important to go off the beaten track, I suppose. It is at school that seeds of peace and respect are sown and the process can’t wait.

<B>What obstacles are faced while trying to awaken students to the multicultural dimension of our society?</B>

The main problem is that the focus in our system is on exams and results which are short-term benefits while education should tackle the construction of human beings in the long-term. But even this is not an obstacle. It is only a matter of lack of courage on the part of teachers which could prevent students from benefiting from citizenship education.