● What do you think of the violent college student demonstrations staged by trade unions and politicians, last Thursday?

The UoM Student Union did not take part in the demonstration because of the involvement of politicians in the platform. Having said that, I agree with them; Government should have carried out some kind of survey before withdrawing subsidies on exam fees of all students.

The cost of life has gone up alarmingly and this has to be taken into consideration. SSR took the decision to make education free and I had thought that his son would also believe in free education.

● Why?

Because we don’t know what is the scale of earnings that constitutes poverty. Government mentions the figure of Rs 7,500 but this includes the salaries of both parents and let’s say that this family has three children; how are they ever going to survive and save up for their children’s examination fees?

● So you agree with the principle of targeted subsidies but it’s the figure that bothers you?

The cost of life has gone up alarmingly and this has to be taken into consideration. SSR took the decision to make education free and I had thought that his son would also believe in free education.

● There’s a difference between free education and payable exam fees, don’t you think? Isn’t there a line to be drawn somewhere?

But the pound sterling has increased! Isn’t it time to start organising our own exams?

● That’s another issue. I’m asking you if you don’t think that those who can afford it - even at the cost of having to forgo a few things - should pay?

No. The Labour party is supposed to believe in free education.

● I am talking about the role of the State, not the Labour party. Do you subscribe to the view that the State owes us everything?

I agree there might be economic problems but education is one area they should have left well alone.

● So I guess you also don’t think that, as a University of Mauritius student, maybe you should pay a reasonable fee in exchange for a service provided to you?

We don’t have tuition fees here, only general fees. Do you know how many students would have to drop out if they ever introduced tuition fees?

● What is this general fee (GF)?

It covers the general cost of laboratories and other infrastructures. The GF has recently been increased to Rs 8,700 per annum. When I first started university in 2003, the fee was Rs 4,900 and if you start on Rs 4,900, that’s what you pay until you leave; the increase in GF doesn’t affect you, it affects only beginners. Well, this used to be the policy except that now, the UoM is increasing the GF by 20%.

● Surely that’s reasonable? Doesn’t the UoM also have increased costs?

But many students won’t be able to afford it. Recently a student lost his house in an outbreak of fire and we had to ask people to donate money to help him. Of those 7,800 full-time students, many would find it very hard to pay.

● But, at the same time, you cannot expect a university to continue as a charitable institution! Shouldn’t the Student Union, instead of threatening to demonstrate against the measure, try to negotiate loans repayable after a student has found employment?

But that’s what’s called free education!

● Whenever it is question of having to pay a fee in exchange of something, Mauritians get angry because they expect everything should come free. Doesn’t this mentality, this culture of dependency worry you?

Education is of prime importance and most people won’t be able to afford it if it were payable. In any case, if government finances were that strained, they shouldn’t have given free transport to students who weren’t asking for it.

● Right on. But would you bet that, if free transport were to be cancelled in a few years’ time, people would demonstrate in the streets to have it back just because they don’t want to have to pay again?

Bus drivers pretend not to see us on the bus stop because we don’t pay.

● Would you be prepared to pay your bus fare to have a better service?

Government gives them money even during holidays and the least they can do is earn that money.

● Or pay for higher general fees to get better value for money at the university?

Government spends Rs 114 million on laureates who don’t come back to the country. They should stop wasting money on laureates and inject this Rs 114 millions in the UoM and we’d all be better off!

● Demagogy at such a young age? Tell me, does today’s youth still have convictions?

Not really. The younger generation has changed and is more and more irresponsible because life is too easy for them.