What You Need to Know
Dr. Mahend Gungapersad, Mauritius’ Minister of Education, highlighted the importance of emotional intelligence and holistic development in leadership during a workshop aimed at empowering students. The initiative focuses on nurturing essential skills such as empathy, communication, and resilience, encouraging students to become responsible leaders in their communities.
Africa-Press – Mauritius. Emotional intelligence is essential in shaping responsible leaders and fostering meaningful human connections in today’s society. Leadership, therefore, must go beyond academic success to include values, empathy and personal growth.
This was the key message of the Minister of Education and Human Resource, Dr Mahend Gungapersad, this afternoon, at the launch of a two-day workshop on Student Leadership and Mentoring, being held from 01 to 02 April at The Docks in Port Louis.
The workshop, a joint initiative of the Ministry of Education and Human Resource in collaboration and the Ministry of Youth and Sports, aims to equip students with essential leadership and mentoring skills.
The Chief Technical Officer of the Ministry, Mr Ricaud Auckbur; the Acting Director of Zone 2, Dr (Mrs) Chaya Surajbali-Bissoonauth; and the Acting Director of Youth Affairs at the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Mr Hurrynanun Buddhu, were among the attendees.
In his address, Dr Gungapersad underscored the importance of holistic development, noting that education should empower students not only academically but also socially and emotionally. He highlighted that leadership among students remains an underexplored area, adding that initiatives of this nature are key to nurturing confident and responsible individuals.
The Education Minister outlined five core qualities of effective leadership, namely integrity and responsibility, effective communication, empathy, vision and resilience. He encouraged students to uphold strong values, communicate with clarity and confidence, and demonstrate empathy in their interactions, stressing that these attributes are fundamental in addressing challenges such as bullying and indiscipline in schools.
Dr Gungapersad further called on students to develop a clear vision for their future and to remain resilient in the face of difficulties. He emphasised that setbacks and self-doubt are part of the learning journey, and that perseverance is essential in achieving personal growth and success.
He also urged students to become ambassadors of positive behaviour and responsible citizenship. Reaffirming Government’s commitment to youth empowerment, the Minister expressed confidence that the workshop will help shape a new generation of leaders capable of contributing meaningfully to national development.
For her part, Dr Surajbali-Bissoonauth stressed that the workshop was designed to better support and empower student leaders, particularly prefects and student representatives. She explained that the initiative encourages them to take an active role in addressing issues within schools while also contributing positively to their communities, as part of a broader effort to strengthen student leadership.
She further pointed out that the workshop is part of a hands-on training series aimed at equipping students with practical skills such as emotional intelligence, conflict resolution and decision-making.
In recent years, the emphasis on leadership development among students has gained traction globally, recognizing that academic success alone does not prepare individuals for real-world challenges. Educational institutions are increasingly integrating programs that foster emotional intelligence and social skills, essential for effective leadership. In Mauritius, the government has initiated various workshops and training sessions to equip youth with the necessary tools to navigate their futures successfully.
