Education for All – How can this be Achieved in Mauritius with the help of Open Education?

Abstract

PCF5 Sub-theme: Cross-cutting themes // Mauritius is a small country with a population of 1.2 million and it rates amongst the best developing countries in the African region. The rate of development is comparable to many developed countries and it has been classed in the category of countries with a high human development index. The Human Development Index for Mauritius is 0.804, which gives the country a rank of 65th out of 177 countries with data (source : UNDP report). The adult literacy rate is 84.3 % according to the same report. But there is still a percentage of pupils who drop out of the educational system without having a good notion of reading and writing. Some are even unable to write their names, to sign or to read a small notice. // Education is compulsory till the age of 13 but the rate of enrolment at primary level is 95%. The pass rate for Certificate of Primary Education (CPE) examination was only 67.9% in 2006, according to the Central Statistics Office. // Open education is slowly but surely finding a place in the system of education in Mauritius due to the numerous benefits that it, provides specially at the tertiary level. This paper will discuss the ways that open education can be used to remedy the deficiencies in our education system and how we can reach those who have been left out of the system of education. // Paper ID 388