7 Autistic Children Barred from School as SENA Faces a Recruitment Crisis

Several autistic children have been repeatedly refused entry to public primary schools this week, sparking a fierce backlash against the Special Education Needs Authority (SENA) over a chronic shortage of qualified carers.

The crisis reached a breaking point at the Vallée-des-Prêtres Government School, where seven children were turned away for three consecutive days.

Parents attempting to enrol their children for the January term were met with refusals from school management, who cited a lack of essential support staff as the reason for the exclusion.

The situation has been branded “revolting” by Labour MP Anabelle Savabaddy, who represents the Port-Louis North/Montagne-Longue constituency.

“Parents are suffering because they feel their children are being cast aside—that autistic children are being rejected by the education system,” Ms Savabaddy said, following a series of distress calls from affected families.

Promises Unfulfilled

The current standoff comes despite formal pledges made in Parliament on 17 June 2025. Education Minister Mahend Gungapersad had promised a suite of specialised facilities and therapy services within dedicated classes, overseen by SENA.

However, advocates claim these promises have failed to materialise. Ali Jookhun, president of the African Down Syndrome Network, launched a scathing attack on the authority’s leadership, describing SENA as “an institution in a coma.”

“Inclusion is practically at a standstill,” Mr Jookhun said. “Is SENA becoming a barrier to inclusion instead of its engine?”

He added that he is prepared to alert international bodies if the situation does not improve.

Authority Defends “Rigorous” Selection

Caroline Arekion, the Director of SENA, has hit back at claims of institutional paralysis. She attributed the disruption to a “transition period” and a wider reorganisation of support services between late 2025 and early 2026.

According to Ms Arekion, 19 schools—spanning both mainstream and specialised sectors—have officially requested carers. She defended the delays by insisting on a rigorous recruitment process to ensure quality of care.

“We have seen a significant increase in requests, but we cannot recruit just anyone,” Ms Arekion said. “Officers must conduct field work and observe adaptation periods before hiring.”

A Precarious Timeline

While the SENA director has promised a “return to normal” by early February, the commitment has done little to soothe the frustrations of parents and campaigners.

As the government grapples with the logistics of its “priority” inclusion policy, critics argue that for the children currently sitting at home, a February deadline is simply too far away.

Source: Defi Media