Education - Mauritian Creole at HSC: A Historic Advancement, Immediate Challenges
After two decades of struggle, Mauritian Creole will become a core subject at the HSC starting in 2026. This is a significant structural milestone that finally values the mother tongue at the heart of the educational system. However, this reform does not come without challenges.
The decision was made after several weeks of uncertainty and questions. The Council of Ministers confirmed that Mauritian Creole will be a core subject for the Higher School Certificate (HSC) starting from the 2026 academic year, which has already begun. This long-awaited announcement has also caused confusion among students, parents, and educational institutions, particularly regarding the practical implementation details.
According to Professor Arnaud Carpooran, a linguist and key figure in the development and standardization of Mauritian Creole, this confusion mainly stems from "a lack of communication." "Many students had already received credit in Mauritian Creole at the School Certificate level but were unsure if the subject would continue seamlessly into the HSC," he explains. The government’s official confirmation now clarifies any ambiguity.
A circular will be issued this week to secondary schools to detail the practical aspects related to teaching and assessment. "Parents and students will clearly understand the steps to follow. We now know which direction we are heading in," Professor Carpooran emphasizes.
To those who question whether this is a hasty political announcement, the linguist refers to the history of the standardization of Mauritian Creole. "The Grafi-Larmoni Committee first met in 2004. We are now in 2026. I leave it to you to draw your conclusions." This reminder highlights that the introduction of Mauritian Creole at the HSC is part of a process spanning more than twenty years and far from an improvised decision. Initially introduced as an optional subject and then recognized at the School Certificate level, its elevation to a core subject at the HSC is a significant symbolic and structural milestone. Since January 2025, Mauritian Creole has been offered in Grade 12 (Advanced Subsidiary Level – AS) as part of the educational reform.
For Professor Arnaud Carpooran, this evolution should not be seen as a break but as a logical continuation of a long-term process. "Mauritian Creole is a fully-fledged language with its own rules, grammar, literature, and academic potential. Teaching it up to the HSC finally brings coherence to students’ educational journeys," he asserts.
Modest Numbers, Real Dynamics
School Certificate statistics show a still-limited but growing interest. In 2025, 648 candidates – 278 boys and 370 girls – took the Mauritian Creole exam, achieving a pass rate of 91.51%, down from 93.97% in 2024. These numbers may seem modest on a national scale, but according to Professor Arnaud Carpooran, they should not be analyzed purely in quantitative terms.
For the linguist, the growing interest in Mauritian Creole goes far beyond mere statistics. It represents a meaningful choice for students. "Our students are not less intelligent than others around the world. They are increasingly interested in the subject because it is the only one that speaks about their country, their history, their experiences, and their genuine communicative and interactive experiences." He believes that Mauritian Creole plays a crucial role in the intellectual development of students: "Moreover, it helps them enhance their reasoning skills, better understand what they read and write, and develop their creative potential."
This dynamic is evident in certain schools. At Bhujoharry College, enrollments increased from 38 candidates in 2025 to 50 in 2026 for the School Certificate exams. Rector Didier Mootou sees this as more than just a curricular adjustment. "Allow me to commend the introduction of Mauritian Creole in SC and soon it will be a reality in HSC as a core subject. It is a recognition of our identity and culture," he states.
The results speak for themselves: the college recorded a success rate of 89.71% in the School Certificate for Mauritian Creole in 2025, with 82.30% of students achieving credit. More significantly, six students have already expressed their intention to take Mauritian Creole as a core subject in the HSC exams.
Between Pragmatism and Conviction
Is there a strategic dimension to this choice, with some students perceiving Mauritian Creole as a subject that offers better chances of obtaining credit? Certainly, according to Professor Carpooran. "When you have a choice to make, you would have to be quite masochistic to ignore subjects that seem more approachable and choose those where you are likely to fail." He illustrates his point with a compelling comparison: "It’s what a French student would do if given a choice between French and German." A pragmatic reasoning that, according to him, does not detract from the academic legitimacy of Mauritian Creole.
Rector Didier Mootou also acknowledges the existence of this calculation. "Students’ interest intensifies with the idea that, with a little effort and regular learning, a credit in KM is more or less guaranteed, which of course will be an advantage for moving up to Grade 12," observes Didier Mootou. However, this strategy is not disconnected from a coherent educational path. "After regular conversations with parents and my students, the introduction of KM in HSC is highly anticipated. They had satisfactory results in PSAC, NCE exams, and SC."
From a pedagogical standpoint, the rector observes a gradual change in students’ perceptions of the subject. "The option of KM is like a breath of fresh air for some students but is appreciated by the vast majority," he claims. According to him, the initial choice is not always ideological or academic: "From my observation, at first in Grade 10, it was more about filling a gap, but after a few sessions, they discover the advantages and knowledge that come with it."
He also highlights the relevance of the themes addressed: "The topics discussed concern everyone – such as drugs, artificial intelligence, Mauritius as a Sustainable Island, emotional intelligence, among others." Thus, the choice of Creole may not merely stem from sheer ease or a lack of academic ambition, but from a more authentic relationship with knowledge.
For Didier Mootou, failing to follow through on this progression would have felt unjust. "It would have been unfair to them if the government had not honored this request. In fact, last year, there were tears and sadness," confides the rector. An anecdote that illustrates the genuine expectations of many students. "Some had already chosen Mauritian Creole, received credit, but found themselves uncertain about the continuation of their path. Today, that uncertainty is lifted," observes Professor Arnaud Carpooran.
On the parents’ side, clarification was also necessary. Many were questioning the academic value of Mauritian Creole at the HSC, its impact on university and professional prospects, as well as its equivalence to other subjects. "The upcoming circular will address these concerns factually," assures the linguist.
A "Ready" System but in Need of Reinforcement
On the sensitive issue of the timeline – given that the 2026 academic year has already begun – Professor Arnaud Carpooran is adamant: "The system is ready, which does not mean it is perfect and should not be improved over time." Regarding the availability of trained teachers at the HSC level, he takes a realistic approach: "First, we need to know how many students will enroll. But it is certain that more will need to be recruited in the future." Bhujoharry College, for its part, already has two qualified and trained teachers to teach Mauritian Creole at the HSC level.
As for teaching materials, Professor Carpooran is reassuring. "Yes, the MIE and the MES have taken the necessary steps," he asserts. However, the linguist emphasizes a crucial point: the success of this reform will largely depend on how it is supported on the ground. Teacher training, availability of textbooks, harmonization of educational content, and student supervision will be determining factors. "A clear framework is essential to avoid misunderstandings and ensure that this subject is treated with the same seriousness as other academic disciplines," he warns.
For beyond the practical and pedagogical aspects, this official recognition carries a broader significance. It reflects on the linguistic and cultural identity of the country, as well as the inclusivity of the educational system.
"I believe this is a recognition of our national identity and a step towards social equality," states Didier Mootou, concluding with a political expectation: "I eagerly await its potential introduction in Parliament."
For Professor Arnaud Carpooran, "allowing students to study and value their mother tongue at an advanced level also strengthens their confidence and relationship with knowledge." The most important thing now is the smooth implementation of the decision. "There has been confusion, certainly, but today we have a clear direction. The essential thing is to move forward with rigor, transparency, and pedagogy," he concludes.
With the upcoming issuance of the ministerial circular, secondary schools should quickly enter an operational phase. For the students concerned, Mauritian Creole will no longer be a subject surrounded by uncertainties but will become a fully embraced academic option up to the HSC.