Latest Reform of the Primary School Examination: Changes Expected for the 2027 School Year

Starting January 2027, the rules regarding the Primary School Achievement Certificate (PSAC) will change. From grading criteria to admission standards and examination formats, the changes will be gradual yet significant. The first steps towards these changes will begin this year.

The PSAC, as it is currently known, will undergo an evolution with its implementation set for January 2027. Prior to this reform, several steps must be followed, including a public presentation and an official publication in The Government Gazette Of Mauritius.

Following the Education Forum held last April, changes are anticipated from preschool to secondary education. More recently, the Minister of Education, Dr. Mahend Gungapersad, mentioned a revision of the diversity in Academies during a meeting with the Défi Media Group last Monday.

Currently, we have learned that the primary school final examinations will also see new conditions. According to our sources, several modifications are under consideration, including the grading system. At present, a student must score between 75 and 100 points to achieve a Grade 1.

However, teachers have observed that many students put in minimal effort to succeed, unlike others. Some do not even attempt their writing assignments in English and French, and the most valued math exercises are often ignored. Consequently, a student who scores 75 points is perceived similarly to one who exceeds 90 points. The distinction becomes evident when it comes to the allocation of colleges for transitioning to Grade 7.

Another likely change involves the admission criteria for Grade 7. The geographical proximity of a student's residence to the college may be reconsidered. According to officials, this criterion limits access to certain colleges. Are we moving towards a broader choice of secondary institutions?

Additionally, the transition begins this year. As announced, the Modular Assessment in science and history-geography will be eliminated for Grade 5 students. These assessments will now be combined with other subjects at the end of the six years of primary education. The aim is to ensure equitable treatment for all children.

Some teachers assert that the previous method benefited a select few at the expense of others. Until now, grades for these subjects were spread over two years, with results from the first year contributing to the final PSAC calculation.

Rethinking Primary School

Educator Basheer Taleb strongly advocates for a comprehensive reform of primary education. He believes that the syllabus must be revised, the teaching of languages rethought, and creativity given central importance. He envisions a school where children learn through play, debate, and singing, forming curious, happy, and cultured individuals.

Basheer Taleb insists that a true reform of primary education must involve revising the syllabus. "The syllabus includes the Essential Learning Competencies (ELC), which represent everything a child should acquire throughout their learning. These ELC have never been reviewed," he emphasizes.

He points out that when a child reaches Grade 7, they often have to repeat what they learned in primary school. "At this stage, they are no longer motivated. They find the lessons too easy, especially in languages. They often have to revisit concepts already learned, particularly in Grade 6, which they memorized without truly understanding. It is now, with greater maturity, that they begin to grasp the meaning of what they have studied up to this point," he explains.

He stresses the urgency of revising the ELC. "The set objectives are not being met. This results in a high failure rate and a reliance on tutoring," he highlights. He also calls for a rethinking of language teaching: "Learning should promote oral skills, reading, and writing. It is essential to introduce theater, songs, music, and debates. It is in these moments that students use language in a real, not artificial, way."

Even in mathematics and science, he believes teachers should be creative. "Primary school should become a center of activities. Currently, children spend their days in class and then continue with tutoring and homework. This is not sustainable. School should be a place of cultural learning: a workshop for painting, theater, and singing. It is through these disciplines that they will remember their lessons. This approach considers the child as a whole. Naturally curious, they explore and inquire spontaneously. If the classroom becomes interesting, they will want to learn. They will then be happy and cultured," he indicates.

He emphasizes the importance of teacher training; however, he believes the Mauritius Institute of Education (MIE) lacks the necessary capacity. "We need to allow other universities to offer courses on the curriculum. Training should include 20% theory and 80% practice. Teachers must be able to apply their learning in real situations, deal with real cases in class, and find solutions, even if it takes years. Practice is essential to awaken students’ curiosity," he explains.

Finally, the primary failure rate is another concern. The educator insists on the need to assess children not only on their academic performance but on all their actions. For older teachers who are resistant to training, he proposes a temporary replacement system in the event of the teacher's absence.

The PSAC Introduced in 2017 by the Former GM After 40 Years of CPE

The Certificate of Primary Education (CPE) lasted 40 years since 1977. It was replaced in 2017 by the Primary School Achievement Certificate (PSAC) as part of the Nine-Year Continuous Basic Education (NYCBE) reform. The PSAC aims to assess students' academic skills at the end of their primary cycle. It is based on two components: School-Based Assessment and Modular Assessment. The first is conducted by teachers throughout the year, and the second occurs at two key points in the school life, namely at the end of Grade 5 and the beginning of the third quarter of Grade 6. The introduction of new subjects is part of this reform, with both core and non-core subjects. Core subjects include mathematics, English, French, science, history-geography, and an eastern language, Arabic or Mauritian Creole. The second category includes Information and Communication Technology and Communication Skills. Performance in subjects is graded as follows: Proficient, Intermediate, Basic. Since January 2025, following the assessments, successful students directly advance to Grade 7. Those who have not reached the required level have three options: 1. Resit a "re-assessment" in a maximum of three failed core subjects in December 2024. 2. Repeat the PSAC in their current school, with support courses provided by qualified educators, and then sit for the 2025 evaluation. 3. Be admitted to a college and follow the "Foundational Programme in Literacy, Numeracy and Skills."