After eighteen months of discussions, the Bureau of Catholic Education (BCE) has finally expressed its desire to welcome students of ?mixed abilities? for the 50% reserved seats in its secondary schools. This puts an end to the elitism that had characterised catholic education so far.

Though the appropriate method to be used for a fair and transparent admission has not been finalised yet, the authorities now seem to have a clear idea of the students? profile they want for the allocation of their 740 seats.

After the drawing of lots proposed by the BCE met with fierce opposition within catholic circles ? teachers, trade unions and even part of the clergy ? there were new proposals. Now it seems that most stakeholders are in favour of the allocation of the seats by a panel.

There will be a panel at the level of each school and it will be composed of various stakeholders ? teachers, ex-students, members of board of governors, parents and others.

According to the Secondary and Preparatory Schools Teachers and other Staff Union (SPSTSU) president, Lysie Ribot, ?it is a fair and transparent means of selection. We have not heard other alternatives so far.?

<B>A certain freedom</B>

The rector of Saint Esprit College, Jacques Malié, explains, ?Each region and each college has its own specificity. Since the decision was made to decentralise the seat allocation, it will be easier to find appropriate solutions for the region.? The panel could strengthen this possibility of favouring the specificities of each college since it will have transparent criteria to find the profile they want.

Jacques Malié is however conscious that, like the other rectors, he will not be granted total freedom. The other criteria ? hardship cases, teachers? wards, children with 15 - 20 units ? are maintained and will have to be respected at each college level.

Jean-Maurice Labour stresses the fact that the colleges will not be granted total freedom since it is important to favour this aspect of mixed abilities. ?A college can increase its quota of low achievers but not of pupils with the higher aggregates. We are doing everything possible to banish star schools from catholic education.?

While the catholic authorities are convinced that they are putting into practice the essential aspects of educational reform, this concept of ?mixed abilities? does not make all stakeholders happy. Some observers find it dangerous for both low-achievers and high-flyers.

Another reversal that has surprised a lot of people is the decision by the catholic authorities that the four colleges previously chosen to become Form VI Colleges? Loreto of Port-Louis and Quatre-Bornes, Saint Esprit and Saint Joseph ? will enrol mixed ability students in Form I as from January 2005 just like the other colleges.

<B>Changing attitudes</B>

The ministry of Education has not reacted to these changes and announcements yet. Minister Steven Obeegadoo has only declared: ?I will take all the necessary time to analyse this and report to the government afterwards.?

The catholic authorities seem to have completely changed their viewpoint. While some have for a long time boasted of educating a large proportion of the country?s elite, they now strongly defend the mixed ability system. According to Father Hervé de St Pern, the catholic authorities felt bad when they had to favour the elite. Why then did they keep this stand for so long?

On the other hand, after fighting so hard to maintain the religious criterion in the allocation of their 50% reserved seats, the catholic authorities now admit that these seats represent only 4% of all students, who obtain the CPE. ?A drop in the ocean,? the director of the BCE concedes.