<B>By Pauline ETIENNE</B>

The bilingual assessment of the Prevokbek pupils at the moment proves that there is no need to obtain the government?s blessing to start an initiative. Although no formal conclusion on the validity of such assessment is available yet, one teacher comments, "Pupils are enthusiastic and seem to have a better understanding of what they are asked to do." The teacher is right not to commit him/herself on this issue, as he should not put the cart before the horses. But the Bureau of Catholic Education (BEC) will at least have the merit of having tried? but we can?t say as much of the ministry of Education.

Since he took office, Dharam Gokhool has made it clear that he would not introduce Creole as medium of instruction in State schools. Despite the numerous reports of pedagogues on the positive aspects of this move at primary level to facilitate children?s understanding and possibly reduce the number of failures at the Certificate of Primary Education (CPE), the minister has not moved one inch forward.

The curriculum reform report, published in 2006, made it clear that English would remain the medium of instruction. Fair enough if minister Gokhool has made his choice. But what prevents him from taking part in pilot projects to see how profitable ? or detrimental ? Creole can be as medium of instruction? Even if there were the slightest percentage of chance that Creole could benefit the Mauritian child, would it not be the minister?s duty to try and see?

But he preferred to remain in his ivory tower when the BEC asked for his support to introduce Creole in a greater number of primary schools as a test and the setting of bilingual question papers. "My ministry reiterates its support for any research on Creole, which you may wish to carry out but it is premature to consider the signing of any document."

Yet, the introduction of Creole as medium of instruction in Prevokbek schools seems to have worked for these pupils. Progress is said to be visible in terms of self-confidence ? which is already a great step ahead for these pupils who felt completely stranded at school and had no trust at all in their own capacities. But the added value is that they are also making academic progress. "With this project, we have realised that the use of the mother tongue brings a change in their behaviour at school. The pupil adapts more easily and learns more rapidly," comments Marjorie Desvaux, who is in charge of the Creole curriculum at the BEC.

The Prevokbek definitely seems to be well ahead in its initiatives to reconcile children with school. And it is making another step forward with the bilingual question papers. At least these children have a chance of adapting to school?

Too bad for the others!