Police Investigate Former Teacher following Allegations from 3 Separate Former Pupils

The Children’s Ombudsperson is to formally move for a police investigation into allegations of sexual abuse at Loreto Junior School Curepipe, amid growing outrage over the institution’s perceived failure to report the claims to authorities.

Aneeta Ghoorah, the Ombudsperson for Children, confirmed she will urgently petition the Commissioner of Police to open a formal inquiry.

The move follows revelations that the school allegedly failed to notify police of serious accusations involving a former music teacher, potentially violating “Mandatory Reporting” laws under the Children’s Act 2020.

Legal Obligations Under Fire

The scandal, which has left parents in a state of “silent anger,” centres on whether school officials breached Article 34 of the Children’s Act.

The law mandates that professionals working with children must immediately report any situation where a minor is at risk. Failure to do so is a criminal offence punishable by fines and imprisonment.

Despite the gravity of the allegations, no arrests have been made. It emerged that rather than contacting the police, the school initially sought advice from a Senior Counsel and directed one complainant to the Family Support Service in Phoenix—a social support structure that legal experts say cannot replace a formal police report.

A Timeline of Allegations

The case first surfaced in July 2025 when a 26-year-old former pupil, now studying psychology abroad, came forward. Her testimony describes a harrowing pattern of “grooming” beginning in 2009 when she was just nine years old.

• 2009–2014: Alleged intrusive gestures and progressive “grooming” during music lessons.
• 2015: The victim, then a minor, alleges her first sexual encounter with the teacher took place.
• 2015–2020: A sustained relationship allegedly marked by psychological pressure and social media harassment following their break-up.

In a separate development in October 2025, two Grade 6 pupils, aged 11 and 12, reportedly confided in a teacher regarding the same man. One mother claimed she was not informed by the school until a month later.

Institutional Silence

The school’s handling of the crisis has drawn sharp criticism. On 11 February, the Loreto Institute informed the first complainant in writing that reporting her claims to judicial authorities was “not within its jurisdiction” and was her responsibility alone.

The suspect, a man in his fifties, has remained silent, stating only that he has referred the matter to his lawyer. He has since deleted his social media accounts.

While his contract at the François-Mitterrand Music Conservatory was not renewed in June 2025, the Ministry of Arts and Culture has only recently begun investigating his tenure there.

Parents Demand Answers

At a heated meeting last Thursday, parents slammed the school’s communication and questioned the depth of its internal investigation.

The Ombudsperson expressed disappointment following a meeting with school representatives last Monday.

“I thought that after our meeting, the school would have lodged a statement with the police,” Mrs Ghoorah said, noting that her office had explained the legal definitions of grooming and reporting obligations in detail.

The case now rests on three pillars: the allegations of sexual abuse, the potential criminal negligence regarding mandatory reporting, and the institutional management of child safety.

While the teacher maintains the presumption of innocence, the official intervention by the Ombudsperson is viewed as a decisive turning point for the victims.

Source: Le Mauricien

UPDATE:

Music teacher arrested over school molestation allegations

A former primary school teacher has been remanded in custody today following allegations of indecent assault and inappropriate comments involving a young pupil.

Frédéric Pavaday, a music teacher previously employed at Loreto Junior School, was arrested on Tuesday, 24 February, after surrendering to authorities.

Accompanied by his legal team, Mr Pavaday reported to the Curepipe police station before appearing before the local magistrates’ court this afternoon.

The Allegations

The arrest follows a formal complaint lodged on Monday by a 12-year-old girl. Accompanied by her mother, the girl detailed incidents she claims took place in 2022 while she was a student at the primary school.

According to the complainant, the former teacher subjected her to alleged “molestation” and “inappropriate remarks.”

The girl has informed investigators that she is able to positively identify the teacher and has pledged her full cooperation to ensure a complete investigation into the matter.

Legal Proceedings

Following his court appearance, Mr Pavaday was ordered to be detained. His legal representatives, Sanjeev Teeluckdharry and Sachin Boodhoo, were present throughout the day’s proceedings.

When approached by the press within the grounds of the police station for a statement regarding the allegations or the arrest, Mr Teeluckdharry declined to comment.

Source: Defi Media