Primary IT Teaching Stalled By 5 Major Infrastructure and Human Resource

The ICT Support Officers Union (ICTSOU) has called for urgent government intervention to rescue the teaching of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in primary schools, citing “major dysfunctions” ranging from decaying infrastructure to a persistent staffing crisis.

Union leadership met with Deviendre Gopaul, Senior Chief Executive of the Ministry of Education, at MITD House on Thursday to highlight a “preoccupying situation” that they claim is directly compromising the quality of digital education for pupils across Grades 1 to 6.

Urgent Calls for New Professional Grade

The union’s primary demand is the immediate formalisation of a new professional rank: Primary School Educator (ICT).

Since March 2024, support officers have been undergoing a two-year diploma course at the Mauritius Institute of Education (MIE) to bolster their pedagogical skills.

With final results expected in the coming weeks, ICTSOU President Rishi Persand is urging the Ministry to approve the Scheme of Service immediately.

“The nominations should be made from Trainee Primary School Educators who have successfully completed their Teacher’s Diploma,” Mr Persand stated.

Staffing Shortages and Low Morale

The union denounced a chronic shortage of ICT officers that has persisted since the 2016 Nine-Year Continuous Basic Education (NYCBE) reforms.

To fill the gaps, the Ministry relies on “Supply ICTSOs” (contractors), but the union warns this is failing due to:

• Unattractive service conditions and a lack of classroom management training.
• High turnover, with candidates declining posts after seeing their assignments.
• Demoralisation of permanent staff, who are often bypassed or transferred to accommodate temporary recruits.

Mr Persand noted that some contractors, aware of their temporary status, have neglected responsibilities, leaving computer labs in “disorder” and causing regular disruptions to pupil learning.

‘Dilapidated’ Infrastructure

The physical state of school IT suites was described as “gravely degraded.” The union reported a litany of failures including broken furniture, non-functional air conditioning, and a lack of ergonomic seating and computers.

In a stinging critique, the union pointed out a “glaring contradiction” in the curriculum: while pupils are taught chapters on health and safety, they are forced to work in laboratories that violate those very principles.

“We are teaching digital skills in an environment that does not reflect the real internet,” Mr Persand said.

The Digital Blockade

The union also hit out at the Ministry for blocking educational platforms like YouTube and other online resource banks on school networks.

Despite being trained to integrate modern digital tools into their teaching, educators find themselves unable to show real-time tutorials or access vast libraries of dynamic content.

The ICTSOU is now demanding a national audit of all IT labs and the “controlled unblocking” of these platforms to better prepare students for an increasingly digital world.

The ICTSOU has requested clear, immediate directives from the Senior Chief Executive to resolve these structural emergencies.

Source: Le Mauricien