New Education Bill Against Tuition Displeases GTU

At a press conference on Wednesday in Port Louis, the president of the GTU, Vinod Seegum stated that this law forbids teachers to give tuitions in Standard 4.

He recalled that the President of the Republic has not endorsed this legislation. Hence Seegum intends to contact his lawyers soon on the next steps to be taken.The union added that he even wrote a letter to the Prime Minister and the MPs concerned by the Education (Amendment) Bill.

Concerning the Summer School programme, Seegum stated that he is in favour of this programme as it can help to combat failure at the Certificate of Primary Education (CPE).

It is the Mauritius Institute of Education (MIE), which will be responsible for the curriculum. However, he emphasized that there are loopholes in the implementation. He stated that the “timing” is not adequate. He added that it should have been implemented in April and August.

The unionist also said that he hopes that the concept Summer School does not become summer camps. “Emphasis should be on learning,” he said. In addition, he also commented on the transfer of 1,500 primary teachers that took place in a meritocratic way. Another issue addressed by the president of the GTU is the introduction of Créole and Bhojpuri in standard 1 next year. He added that teachers are not adequately trained for that purpose.

Concerning the scandal at Sir Veerasamy Ringadoo school in Quatre Bornes, Seegum said that this case is not a new one.