Educational Reform: Public Consultation from December 8, 2025, to January 20, 2026

From December 8, 2025, to January 20, 2026, the Ministry of Education is launching a nationwide debate on access to secondary education. Two proposals are being presented to the public as part of an educational reform aimed at fundamentally transforming the Mauritian education system. This consultation focuses on issues of equity, student well-being, and the modernization of the system, marking a decisive turning point for future generations.

On December 3, the Ministry of Education announced the start of a national consultation concerning two proposals to revise access to secondary schools. This initiative is part of the preparation for a strategic plan intended to deeply reform the Mauritian education system. Approved by the Cabinet, the consultation will take place from December 8, 2025, to January 20, 2026, involving institutional partners, educational stakeholders, and citizens, who are invited to share their opinions through an online questionnaire.

Central to this reform is a recurring issue: the selection process for secondary school students. The excessive competition generated by the current system has negative effects on student well-being, highlighting the need for a more equitable and inclusive approach. The Educational Summit 2025 has identified two reform pathways.

Option 1

The first option proposes that entry into Grade 7 at regional colleges be based on the results of the Primary School Achievement Certificate (PSAC). All students would be directed to a regional college in Grade 7 according to their results, while those not meeting the required level would follow the Foundation Programme in Literacy, Numeracy, and Skills (FPLNS). Nearly 2,400 students could enter a national college starting in Grade 7. This proposal implies the abolition of the NCE in Grade 9 and the establishment of a new grading scale for the PSAC, ranging from A to F, with a specific mention for Grade 9.

Option 2

The second option maintains the current structure of the PSAC but proposes that access to national colleges occur in Grade 10, based on the results of the National Certificate of Education (NCE). The existing PSAC grading system, based on grades 1 to 6, would remain in place. All students would attend a regional college in Grade 7, with about 2,400 students admitted to a national college in Grade 10 based on their NCE performance. Students who do not meet the required level would continue with the FPLNS.

In both scenarios, there is an option to allow national colleges to operate in a single-gender mode (either girls or boys), with the exception of the Mahatma Gandhi Institute, or to remain co-educational. Through this initiative, the ministry reaffirms its ambition to modernize the Mauritian education system, placing the well-being and future of younger generations at the center of the reform.

Reasons for Reform

Several reasons motivate the authorities to pursue reform. In the PSAC examinations, markers have already pointed out flaws in the current system: many candidates choose not to attempt the writing assessments in English or French, opting instead to focus on other subjects, yet still manage to achieve an "A" grade. Authorities now wish to encourage students to develop their writing skills, which are essential for their secondary education journey.

At the academy level, many principals have observed that students who performed well on the NCE later regressed. Additionally, the poor behavior of certain students over the years is concerning. The new reform also aims to reduce stress for students in Grade 9.