To successfully steer our country from the neocolonial stranglehold, besides the right leadership and programme, we must also promote high standards of relevant education. And, most importantly, we must get our priorities right.

The key to progress in all fields is a high standard of literacy and numeracy. Let it be noted that we are not here, I repeat NOT, concerned with the so-called (mythical) polyglotism whereby “Franse ze koz-koz; Angle ze debrouy” but with skills related to the proper handling of the written word.

What is the situation on the literacy front? According to official figures, the national rate is approximately 85% but there is no clear definition of literacy. Some define it as the ability to sign/scribble one’s name. Others define it in terms of school attendance, directly linking literacy with schooling, assuming that all those who are schooled do attain a reasonable level of literacy. Certainly a wrong assumption. Some figures can help us to a proper understanding. First and foremost, it must be made unequivocal that by the term literacy we mean ‘functional literacy’, which is best defined as ‘the level of skill in reading and writing that an individual needs to cope with everyday adult life’ (reading newspapers, filling in forms, reading and understanding instructions of all sorts etc). In Mauritian terms, it would not be unreasonable to associate this skill with at least a pass at secondary school certificate (Form 5).

Broadly speaking, in 2003, out of approximately 90,000 aged between 16 and 19, only 11,000 had a secondary school certificate (SC) and 5,400 had passed the higher school certificate (HSC). Let’s be generous and grant the existence of an additional 1,600 literate people in that age group. That still gives us the very low rate of 20%.

With such a low literacy rate, Mauritius will never unlock the manacles of poverty, let alone smash neocolonial fetters. To succeed, we should aim in the short term at a functional literacy rate in the neighbourhood of 50% and universal functional literacy in the long run. Moreover, any ambition to shine in IT and the knowledge industry requires that, in the very short term, we manage to produce over 10,000 HSC holders or equivalent. To achieve this, the language policy must change.

Up to now, all reform attempts have shied away from this crucial issue. Now it’s a question of do or die.

<B>by Dev virahsawmy</B>