I was pleased to hear Sonia Gandhi, at the inauguration of the Rajiv Gandhi Science Centre, refer to Nehru?s attempt to encourage Indians to acquire a ?scientific temper?. Today, India has numerous ?science colleges?. Recently I wrote in these columns about science cities such as Tsukuba in Japan and Pushino in Russia. Britain successfully experimented with Colleges of Advanced Technology or CATS, many of which were so good that they became universities. In the UK, there are also over 300 designated specialist science colleges. Each functions as a centre of excellence in scientific, technological, enterprising and vocational education and therefore actively contributes to local and national development. The mission of these science colleges is to ?encourage young people to pursue science and mathematics? so that they develop the skills needed to be ?active citizens within an increasingly scientific world? and to progress into creative employment.

● <B> No to resuming the rat race at 11+</B>

Already much commented upon ! As a firm believer in the value of co-operative learning (as opposed to isolated individuals competing against each other in class), I too stand firm against re-introducing outrageous competition at CPE level, for places in Form 1. Especially since 2005, when Mauritius made the huge stride forward to 11-year compulsory schooling and enough secondary schools to accommodate all those who finish primary schooling.

However, it seems that the government is bent upon introducing new initiatives (real ones, not the ?morning assembly?, which already exists, and at least in RCEA schools is used as it should be).

Re-introducing national colleges to stimulate the system can be done without re-introducing the rat-race! Here is one way to do it!

● <B> Science, technology and innovation colleges</B>

Designed mentally last night, I see these STI colleges as a Mauritian initiative, which, if well planned and implemented, would yield valuable results in a decade, when isolated Mauritius may be struggling to obtain fuel and do trade. Those who have forgotten need to be reminded that good educational initiatives yield real results only for the next generation, not tomorrow morning. It?s called ?building the future?! I would suggest six of those to start with (for example converting QEC, M.CURE, RCC, RCPL, one CONFESSIONAL and one PRIVATE COLLEGE into STIs), running from Forms I to VI or from Forms IV to VI. The curriculum of basic sciences and unlimited fields of technology, would emphasise the development of an ?innovative mind?. It would be a dream to design and could interest many key players here and abroad. Using open-learning, team teaching and activities based almost entirely on experimentation by students (learning by doing), achievement would only be measured by ?innovation?, not at all on standard testing norms, hence no ?A? grades in the usual SC and HSC subjects, no laureates etc. Parents would know what they are giving up (standard academic education) and, even then, results could not be guaranteed, such being the nature of innovation (ask Bill Gates!)

Admission whether into Form I or IV would be through intelligence and aptitude tests, changed every year, for which cramming is not possible. Open to any one willing to take the entrance test, those admitted would most likely be kids with all sorts of CPE grades (i.e., A, B, C, D, or even Es). If these colleges succeeded, the pedagogy developed could and would permeate the entire system and could be a model for others, while being hugely beneficial for the country.

<B> Dr. Michael ATCHIA

[email protected]</B>