The minister of Education, Dharam Gokhool, has continued his campaign to convince the population of the advantages of his reform. He has seized every opportunity to speak highly of the national colleges and the grading system that includes the new A +.

Each time he has expressed himself over this burning issue, he has made it clear that his reform will benefit all children. On a special programme broadcast on the Mauritius Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) last week, the minister pointed out that the reform is only a promise the government has kept. ?It is in our electoral manifesto as well as in the programme-speech,? he insisted.

With such a system, the government aims at making all children target the best results. He wants the number of children passing the Certificate of Primary Education (CPE) to increase and go far beyond the present 60%. The minister firmly believes that the government has the duty to encourage children to make more effort; his reform is one way of achieving this goal.

He admitted that there would not be enough room for all children but added that this would not be a problem as regional colleges are available. According to minister Gokhool, the regional colleges offer the same infrastructure and human resources as the star colleges.

No will to fight anymore

The bishop of Port-Louis, Maurice Piat, who has expressed his disagreement about the reform on several occasions, took advantage of the inauguration of the new mixed Loreto College at Bambous-Virieux to discuss with the minister. Although the latter said he agreed that education was aimed at helping vulnerable elements, he made it clear, ?the way we have chosen to apply this may be different but the target is the same?. Maurice Piat however did not agree. ?We have the same objective but you are using destructive means to reach your aim.?

The situation is now clear; the government will not change its mind. After the short conversation, the bishop of Port-Louis admitted, ?I am exhausted. I have no will to fight anymore.?

Faced with an uncommunicative minister who has not found it useful to listen to comments of civil society and the stakeholders of the sector before implementing the reform, some people are indeed feeling discouraged. Because, even if the minister promises that ?no children will be left aside?, these people are concerned about the 11-year old children who will undergo the infernal circle of competition to be among the best?