Africa-Press – Mauritius. A total of 110 participants including Grade 12 students and educators of the school counselling and care desks in the four educational zones, received, this morning, their certificate upon the successful completion of a training focusing on interpersonal communication and peer counselling skills.
An award ceremony was held at the World Hindi Secretariat in Phoenix, in presence of the Vice-Prime Minister, Minister of Education, Tertiary Education, Science and Technology, Mrs Leela Devi Dookun-Luchoomun and the Minister of Youth Empowerment, Sports and Recreation, Mr.
Jean Christophe Stephan Toussaint. The aim of the training was to equip the participants with active listening skills to enable them to provide psychosocial support to their peers facing emotional difficulties.
This capacity building initiative jointly organised by the Education and Sports Ministries with the financial and technical support of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), was implemented in March 2022, as a key component of the UNFPA annual programme 2022. The training culminated with a symposium on youth and wellbeing held on the same day.
In her address, the VPM expressed gratitude to all the stakeholders who contributed in organising this training, which she emphasised will increase the opportunities to enrich the social capital of learners and help promote positive behavior and inclusive education in schools.
By empowering educators and students, my Ministry seeks to foster a strong sense of community in schools through collaborative communication and empathetic understanding, she stated.
Mrs Leela Devi Dookun-Luchoomun underlined that this endeavour is in line with the central thrust of the ongoing educational reform, that is promoting holistic learning and inclusive development.
One of its cornerstones, she added, is to ascertain that learners feel good about themselves by enhancing their social wellbeing and emotional needs, and strengthening their psychological resilience so that they set and achieve positive goals when they enter adulthood.
The Education Minister further underscored the need for schools to foster a healthy and safe environment for learners and stressed that their social and emotional wellbeing is important for it affects their physical health and contributes to their academic achievement, and help to establish human network at school.
As for Youth Minister Toussaint, he lauded the commitment and potential of the youths who participated in the training programme by contributing in the noble cause of ensuring the wellbeing of their peers.
He spoke of his Ministry’s initiative, the Outdoor recreation programme, which was a success in gathering students across the Island. On that note, he emphasised that engaging in sports and outdoor activities is key to one’s emotional wellbeing.
Minister Toussaint also invited all students to support our local athletes during the Commission de la Jeunesse et des Sports de l’Océan Indien 2022 Games in December.
Also present on the occasion, the UNFPA Country Director for Mauritius, Madagascar, Comores and Seychelles, Mr. Koffi Kouame, highlighted that our young people are more exposed and vulnerable to pressures prevailing in the modern world.
He recalled that the mandate of the UNFPA is to guarantee that young people attain their full potential and also supports efforts geared towards ensuring that they have a safe and healthy passage to adulthood.
Furthermore, the UNFPA Country Director pointed out that the wellbeing of this age group is a key determinant of national development, thus the need to develop their resilience.
For More News And Analysis About Mauritius Follow Africa-Press
