Africa-Press – Mauritius. A prize-giving ceremony and a Souvenir Magazine were launched, today in Curepipe College, in the context of the 60th anniversary, the ‘Diamond Jubilee’, of the institution.
The Vice-Prime Minister, Minister of Education, Tertiary Education, Science and Technology, Mrs Leela Devi Dookhun-Luchoomun, was present as the Chief Guest.
The ceremony was attended by other personalities, namely the Mayor of Curepipe Mr Hans Marguerite, the Manager and Rector of Curepipe College, Mr Neetesh Raj Sewpal, ex-teachers and alumni of the College, along with the current teaching and administrative staff of the College and the students.
In her address, Vice-Prime Minister Dookun-Luchoomun extended her congratulations to Curepipe College on the occasion of its 60th anniversary. She highlighted that 60 years in the life of an institution devoted to sustaining efforts to impart education is in itself an achievement.
It is also a time to reflect upon and to reminisce on the contribution of the founding members of the school, to appreciate the journey covered and the achievements made so far, she said.
Recognising that all students have a tremendous potential, she underlined that Government is developing new pathways in education that will raise the quality and availability of skills.
She highlighted that key economic sectors that are emerging today are the creative industries, healthcare, freeport and logistics, ICT and life sciences, artificial intelligence, robotics, automation and Industry 5.0.
She stated that in this new configuration, it is the responsibility of all persons and institutions engaged in the education sector to ascertain that young learners are equipped with the relevant skills and competences to cope with this new complex technology-based and technology-driven environment.
She affirmed that learning at school should pave the way for lifelong learning throughout the future. She also underlined that her Ministry is coming forward with Technology Education as an innovative pathway at Grades 10 and 11.
Mrs Dookun-Luchoomun further laid emphasis on the need of a Whole Person Development of the youth and dwelt on the qualities of a good human being which, she said, are inspired by a high degree of empathy with and altruism for her fellow beings, and one who makes a virtue of hard work, of effort and of discipline.
Speaking about the COVID-19 pandemic, the Vice-Prime Minister recalled that digitalisation has become part of the new normal which has recourse to blended learning—one that combines traditional in-presence, teacher-to-student lessons with technology-based learning.
This demands new skills, new and appropriate pedagogies. It also demands innovation, extension and hence investment in the digital infrastructure, she added. In that context, she urged for greater collaborative engagement among educators.
She expressed her wish to see every school become a learning site where several opportunities can be unpacked for educators to exchange experiences, share good practices, build strong relationships and strategic partnerships and develop communities of practice.
She also highlighted that an Academy for Education Professionals has been set up at the level of her Ministry to improve teachers’ and School Heads’ competence through continuous professional learning and development programmes.
This Academy is led by on-the-ground practitioners and will focus more on the empowerment of teachers and Heads of schools. This will enable them to become more innovative in their pedagogy and delivery as well as management, she pointed out.
As for the Manager and Rector of Curepipe College, Mr Neetesh Raj Sewpal, he rejoiced that the institution has witnessed continuous progress over the past six decades. Retracing the history of the College, he highlighted that it has been marked by growth, progress, modernisation, and innovation.
He recalled that his vision is to keep pace with the changes in education and transform Curepipe College into a secondary school equipped with modern amenities so as to provide the best facilities to pupils and staff.
Massive investments, he pointed out, have been carried out towards infrastructural progress of the school such as the renovation of classrooms and specialist rooms. Furthermore, he said that over the past decade, the College has had an average of 1,000 pupils and 125 staff members.
A wide range of subjects are also offered such as Travel and Tourism, Physical Education, and Kreol Morisien, which has widened the choice of students catering for different preferences, he added.
On that occasion, educators were rewarded for their long and meritorious service during a Prize Giving Ceremony. A Souvenir magazine, which chronicles the important achievements and important events of the institution, was also launched.
Curepipe College The history of Curepipe College stretches back to 1962 during the pre–independence period. The school was founded by late Mr Jeean Mohabeer Sonah, a well-known businessman whose most cherished dream was to see all Mauritians educated.
The school started with only seven classrooms, one chemistry laboratory, one physics laboratory and a school population of about 100 students. Curepipe College, over the past decades, has developed into a well-known private secondary school.
It has tremendously contributed towards providing education to a large number of pupils coming mainly from the Central Plateau and the Southern part of the country. The main aim of Curepipe College is to provide quality education to students.
For the academic year 2020 – 2021, Curepipe College has achieved a pass rate of 80 % at Cambridge School Certificate level and 70 % at Cambridge Higher School Certificate.
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