Pupils will soon be on their way back to school? While it could be a source of excitement for some to show off their new school gear, it must be a real headache for parents. Those who can?t afford to buy the latest fashionable schoolbags for their children or not even the basic books, would have had an even harder time without the book loan schemes organised by the ministry of Social security. The first pupils have already been supplied with their books but the rush will probably go on for the whole month of January?

The commissioner of Social security, Anerood Gopaul, clearly explains: ?All those benefiting from social aid or unemployment pension are automatically eligible for this loan. Moreover, those eligible for basic pensions (such as old-age pension or orphans? pension) and who do not have any other source of revenue or whose revenue is very low can also benefit from this loan?.

In other words, people who would have been eligible for social aid without this basic pension are also eligible for the book loan. A short interview is carried out by Social security officers ? a mere ?formality?, according to the commissioner ? after the school has supplied them with an application form.

These forms have been made available in all schools by this ministry since December. This is how some pupils have already received their books for 2008. ?The granting of certificates to obtain the books takes only a short time ? one or two days,? the commissioner points out.

This year, more than 5,000 pupils will probably benefit from these loans. These statistics vary little from one year to another ? the increase is hardly noticeable. The pupils have to go to their regional centre ? there are four around the island under the aegis of the ministry of Education, which manages the supply as soon as the certificate is issued by the Social security service, ? to be given their books as soon as they have obtained their certificate. This is also where they have to return them at the end of the school year?

In the latest audit report, the director, Rajen Jugernauth, castigated the way the ministry of Education had been managing the book stocks. ?For the past three years, an average of some Rs 4 million had been disbursed for the purchase of new books for needy students in both state and private secondary schools?, the report stated. ?It is to be noted that new books were purchased without taking into consideration the textbooks already available in stock (?). Large quantities of books worth some Rs 2 million were lying idle in the stores of the four education directorates, running the risk of obsolescence,? the director further reported. But the ministry has already committed to take remedial action and redistribute the books this year.

<I>This year, more than 5,000 pupils will benefit from these loans. They have to go to their regional centre

• under the ministry of Education - to receive their books as soon as they have obtained their certificate from the ministry of Social security.

Other forms of aid were also mentioned in the last budget. ?In line with the policy I announced last year to increase support for those who need it most, I am proposing several schemes to help needy children in full-time education up to secondary level,? said the minister of Finance, Rama Sithanen, in his budget speech. One of them was to ?double the monthly grant to all orphans by providing them with a special education grant of Rs 1,180 monthly?. Another decision aimed at helping those who have difficulty making the two ends meet was to ?make a one-off payment of Rs 400 at the start of the school year to all children in families receiving social aid to meet school- related expenses?.

He also decided to maintain the ?primary school supplementary feeding project at a cost of Rs 31 million until there is a more equitable way to focus on greater assistance to children who really deserve more?. The proposed elimination of that programme caused a stir in the sector and forced the minister to review his decision but the government might have to find a way of targeting those who really need a meal in the future.

All these structures set up to help students who live in extremely poor conditions should help all those of age for compulsory education to benefit from it? and increase their chances of achieving equal opportunities in the long run!

Ready, get set?

While the minister of Education boasts about resuming the dialogue with trade unions and other stakeholders in the sector, the main people concerned are still complaining about the lack of consultation before school re-opens. Trade union leaders have not forgotten last year?s recriminations and intend to make themselves heard as from the first days of the term. The promotions to the post of deputy headteacher, subsidies on examination fees and the potential closing down of some private colleges are among their main bones of contention.

As far as teachers are concerned, the worries are quite different. They are getting ready to give the best of themselves with their new pupils to achieve better results. The problem of indiscipline remains one of the main issues that they will have to tackle? However, they rely on the collaboration of the ministry as well as of parents to reduce it! Teachers will have to put their possible frustrations aside to face their pupils and give them quality education because pupils can in no way be the victims of their administrative problems.