Private Educational Schools on Watch, Authority’s Grip Sparks Fears

The Federation of Union of Managers of Secondary Schools is warning that the Private Secondary Education Authority (PSEA) is hindering the smooth functioning of private schools in Mauritius.

The authority’s grant formula for 2024-26 and its interference in pedagogy and management are seen as major obstacles to the sector’s overall development.

In an effort to raise awareness about the issue, the federation is planning to meet with political parties contesting the upcoming general elections to brief them on its role in the education sector and the challenges faced by private schools.

The federation believes that the authorities are ignoring its concerns and that the situation is akin to a “deguised nationalization” of education.

The federation’s representatives are unanimous in their criticism of the PSEA’s intervention, citing a sense of frustration and “usurpation” of their role as managers and rectors of private schools.

They argue that the grant formula is not aligned with the quality of education provided by private schools and limits their freedom to manage their institutions.

“The problem lies with the grant mechanism, which makes it impossible for us to manage our schools,” explained Jimmy Harmon, responsible for secondary education at the Service diocésain de l’éducation catholique (Sedec).

The federation is concerned that the situation is deteriorating with the introduction of the new grant formula for 2024-26. As a result, it has decided to take its concerns to a wider audience, including political parties, parliamentarians, and opinion leaders.

Regardless of which government is in power, the federation insists that the well-being of Mauritian children must be the top priority.

It is calling for a more collaborative approach between the education sector and policymakers to ensure that private schools can continue to thrive and provide high-quality education.

The federation has been raising its concerns about the PSEA’s intervention for some time, having previously written numerous letters and attended rare meetings to express its concerns.

Several high-profile individuals have been alerted to the situation, but so far, no satisfactory solutions have been found.

The Federation of Union of Managers of Secondary Schools is expressing deep disappointment and frustration over the Private Secondary Education Authority’s (PSEA) intervention in private schools.

The federation claims that the PSEA’s implementation mechanism has led to numerous “disallowed items” that hinder the daily management of private schools and prevent them from responding to the educational needs of their institutions.

The situation has worsened with the introduction of the new grant formula for 2024-26, which has resulted in a long list of disallowed items.

These include everything from classroom curtains to office administrative expenses, as well as limited transportation costs for school activities, repair of equipment, and security services.

The federation also deplores the requirement for “prior endorsement” for any project, which it sees as a hindrance to progress in private schools.

Furthermore, the federation claims that the lack of school manuals and restrictions on teacher recruitment are causing classes and students to be left without teachers, leading to paralyzed programs.

Managers are also perplexed by the ministry’s decision to impose Google Classroom for online courses, despite their own schools having established their own systems before the recent announcement by Education Minister Leela Devi Dookun Luchoomun.

The federation is also disappointed by the way the change in the examination formula (40% School-Based + 60% National) for the Extended Programme was introduced at a workshop without prior notice.

With the second semester already underway, private schools have yet to receive instructions on the modalities surrounding the 40% component.

The federation is not shy in labeling PSEA’s actions as “empiétement” into pedagogy, citing its interference in internal exam schedules.

The federation believes that this is a clear indication of “deguised nationalization” and a move towards a single school system. As a result, it is calling on education authorities to “stop sabotaging private education!”

The federation’s representatives are united in their criticism of PSEA’s intervention, citing a sense of frustration and “usurpation” of their role as managers and rectors of private schools.

They argued that PSEA’s actions are not aligned with the quality of education provided by private schools and limit their freedom to manage their institutions.

In light of these concerns, the federation is urging education authorities to take a more collaborative approach with private schools and to prioritize the well-being of Mauritian children.

The federation emphasized that this is crucial for ensuring that private schools can continue to thrive and provide high-quality education.

Source: Le Mauricien