Mauritius Welcomes 8,712 New Primary Students including 897 in Rodrigues

The air is thick with the scent of fresh notebooks and the nervous excitement of 8,712 tiny pioneers this Monday. From the sun-drenched shores of Agalega, where 10 little ones take their first steps into academia, to the vibrant hills of Rodrigues with its 897 new learners, the Republic is awash in the magic of new beginnings.

These children are no longer just nursery toddlers; they have transformed into Grade 1 explorers, ready to map out their futures.

As these young learners settle into their new environments, the secondary sector is also seeing a massive influx, with approximately 8,800 new Grade 7 students and over 10,000 Grade 10 students starting their new academic chapters this 12 Janaury.

Regional Breakdown

The distribution of Grade 1 pupils across the educational zones shows a significant concentration in the north and capital regions:

• Zone 1 (Port-Louis/North/Agalega): Leads with 2,441 pupils, where girls outnumber boys.
• Zone 2 (Beau-Bassin/Rose-Hill/East): Welcomes 2,195 pupils.
• Zone 3 (Curepipe/South): Registers 1,711 pupils.
• Zone 4 (Vacoas/Phoenix/West): Accommodates 1,458 pupils.

Staffing Concerns and Supply Teachers

Despite the excitement of the rentrée, the Government Teachers’ Union (GTU) has highlighted ongoing pressures within the state primary sector.

President Vishal Bhojun confirmed that the Ministry currently relies on “Supply Teachers” to fill staffing gaps, a system he described as “unpredictable.”

“A Supply Teacher can disengage and leave their post at any time if they get a better offer elsewhere,” Mr Bhojun remarked, noting that this instability places additional pressure on schools.

Relief is expected in the coming months as approximately 300 aspiring teachers, currently enrolled in the Teacher’s Diploma Primary at the Mauritius Institute of Education (MIE), complete their training to join the workforce.

Secondary Transition

The academic restart extends to the secondary level, where admission is based on recent examination results.

Roughly 8,800 holders of the Primary School Achievement Certificate (PSAC) are entering Grade 7, while those who successfully completed the National Certificate of Education (NCE) – a cohort of over 10,000 – are beginning Grade 10 today.

Source: Le Mauricien