Youth & Education

Continuing with our research on the education system in Mauritius, we interviewed a group of students, which are currently studying at secondary school or university. These interviews showed us a new perspective, which we didn’t know before.

First of all, we were wondering if the teachers in secondary school are doing their job correctly. The conclusions that we extracted from our survey were that teachers just come to class and impart the lesson. They are not really worried about the progress of the child. The education system makes students learn by heart the content of their books only to write it down in the exam without any logic interpretation. THIS IS A PROBLEM. In Europe, classes are different; there is a better communication between teachers and students. People are more prepared to speak in public and they are usually curious to discover new things.

Knowing how to express yourself in public is really important, because this way you can influence others and make an impact. Therefore, you will have better chances of success. We have noticed that in general people are shy (an effect of the failed system) and they should learn from teachers to be more self-confident in order to combat this issue.

Another major problem is that we found rather shocking is the fact that Mauritians don’t read. The majority of them are saying that they just don’t have time for reading. We don’t think it is a matter of time but just laziness and lack of interest. The cultural background should not be used as an excuse.

We have also discovered that many pupils are not attending school regularly. During the conversation with these girls we have learned that even parents are not encouraging them to go to school. Parents don’t really see where their kids’ problems are, because the meetings between them and teachers take place only twice a year. Furthermore children are under parents’ supervision and the conservative thinking creates a strict control of their kids’ life (here you will not see youngsters under 18 years old working).

 

Moreover the school system doesn’t motivate youngsters to participate in classes with enthusiasm. This is also a consequence of the fact that teachers are inexperienced and not qualified to lead an overcrowded class. For this reason their dreams about the future might not come true as they don’t know how to realize them.