Imminent Appointment of Dr. Jaunky at MIE After Protracted Legal Battles

After years of legal disputes, the imminent appointment of Dr. Vishal Jaunky to the Mauritius Institute of Education (MIE) is on the horizon. On Monday, November 25, Education Minister Mahend Gungapersad welcomed Dr. Jaunky to his office to discuss the ongoing challenges faced by the academic since 2017.

Dr. Jaunky, a teacher at the Swami Sivananda State Secondary School and a holder of both a Ph.D. in Economics and a post-doctoral degree, has been embroiled in numerous legal struggles regarding what he claims are unfair appointments within the academic sphere.

During his meeting with the minister, he detailed the institutional abuses he has endured and condemned systematic favoritism pervasive in the recruitment processes of several public educational institutions.

The educator highlighted that he applied for a lecturer position at the MIE in 2017 and attended an interview in 2018.

Despite his advanced qualifications, the position was awarded to another candidate with inferior qualifications and a non-recognized degree.

In 2021, after a lengthy legal battle, the Supreme Court deemed this appointment “manifestly unreasonable.”

However, Dr. Jaunky pointed out that the MIE disregarded the court’s ruling, leaving the position vacant for three years, which he described as “contrary to the principles of natural justice.”

Dr. Jaunky also recounted other similar instances, including legal action he took against the University of Technology, Mauritius, where a former student was appointed to a role for which Dr. Jaunky was far more qualified.

Additionally, he filed a complaint with the Equal Opportunities Commission against Maurice Stratégie, citing discrimination he believes he faced.

He condemned a pattern of favoritism and unjust appointments across various public institutions, violating the principles of equal opportunity and meritocracy.

During the meeting at the Education Ministry, Sandrine Valère, Acting Senior Chief Executive, presented a report on the MIE.

She confirmed that the initially chosen candidate, who was officially set to join the institution on November 20, 2024, ultimately withdrew from the position.

Consequently, Dr. Jaunky’s appointment at the MIE is imminent.

Minister Mahend Gungapersad has pledged to rectify these injustices.

He emphasized the new government’s strong commitment to ending discriminatory practices and ensuring transparency and fairness within all public institutions.

Source: l’Express