<B>By Pauline ETIENNE</B>

Education affects the life of each and every Mauritian. Obviously, it is an issue of great interest for teachers but may also be a source of anxiety for parents. Our education system has failed to keep pace with the modern world and there is a need for renewal. Academic skills should not be its sole preoccupation; the development of the child should be an all-round process.

The system – as it is today – does not allow such development to occur. Not many teachers are trained to achieve it and the system forces most of them to follow the syllabus to make sure pupils have a chance of passing their exams. Going off the beaten track might imply the opposite…

So the time is ripe for a change in the field of education. This new supplement hopes to provide a platform where teachers can share views on pedagogical and academic issues. It also hopes to publish a wide variety of articles, both local and international, on new techniques in the field.

The education supplement will strive to help teachers and parents face the daily challenge of bringing up children. Because the education system is becoming less bookish and more child-centred this page will try to encourage teachers in this direction. And we are confident that teachers will be interested in knowing what their colleagues all over the world have to share with them…

“l’express Outlook” had become a rendez-vous for people wanting to read more English. This page replaces Outlook but we wish in no way to cut down on the amount of English in l’express - that is why, in addition to the present supplement in English, you will now have a page in English four times a week. We have always considered it of great importance to encourage the habit of reading in English and hope that our new arrangements find favour with our readers!