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1.0 The context of the ZEP
project in Mauritius
The Republic of Mauritius is an island nation in the Indian Ocean about 2,000
kilometres off the south east coast of the African continent. Politics in Mauritius takes
place in a framework of a parliamentary representative democratic republic. The
country includes the islands of Agaléga, Saint Brandon and Rodrigues. The area of
the country is 2040 km 2 having Port Louis as its capital city. The population estimate
(as of 1 July 2012) for the whole Republic is 1,291,456. Considered part of Africa
geographically, Mauritius is a friendly country and it entertains good relations with the
great nations of the world. Mauritius’s real GDP growth rate remains strong although it
is estimated to have moderate growth at 4.0% in 2012 as the euro area, the country’s
main export destination, falls into another recession.
For the year 2011, government expenditure on education was estimated at about
$ 378 million (USD), representing 12.5% of total expenditure and out of which about a
third goes towards fi nancing the primary education sub sector. The education system
in Mauritius consists of pre-primary, primary, secondary and tertiary sub-sectors. The
structure comprise 3 years of pre-primary school, 6 years of primary schooling leading
to the Certifi cate of Primary Education, followed by 5 years of secondary education
leading to the School Certifi cate and a further 2 years of higher secondary ending
with the Higher School Certifi cate. Education is compulsory up to the age of 16 years
and is free for the primary and secondary students while it is heavily subsidised for
the university students. All students including those at tertiary level benefi t from free
bus transport. As a part of the welfare policy of the government, pupils at the primary
schools benefi t from free text books.
Primary schools cater for children aged 5 to 11 years old enrolling pupils in standard
I up to Standard VI where the primary education cycle ends with the Certifi cate of
Primary Education (CPE) examinations. The latter is a cut throat national competitive
examination to admit the brightest pupils in the National colleges while the rest
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