The Mauritian government has spent Rs 576.11 million on maintenance, repairs, and improvements to the infrastructure of private secondary schools between January 2025 and June 2026. This information was provided by Minister of Education Mahend Gungapersad in response to a parliamentary question from Deputy Babita Thannoo. The funds were disbursed by the Private Secondary Education Authority (PSEA) to support 82 registered private secondary schools, including 17 schools under the Catholic Education Service (SeDEC).
The financial assistance was provided under the Comprehensive Grant Formula, which includes fixed and variable allocations for infrastructure maintenance, repairs, and upgrades. The funding is subject to eligibility criteria established by the PSEA. This support aims to ensure that private secondary schools have adequate infrastructure to provide quality education to their students. The government has a similar mechanism for public secondary schools, but the funding process differs.
For public secondary schools, maintenance expenses are covered through the Ministry of Education's recurrent budget. These expenses include routine maintenance, urgent repairs, and minor improvements, which are carried out by the Ministry's maintenance unit or contracted companies. Unlike subsidized private schools, public schools do not receive a fixed allocation per school. Instead, funding is determined based on needs and priorities, taking into account factors such as building age and condition, urgency of repairs, safety requirements, and available budget.
The Ministry of Education emphasizes that both funding mechanisms aim to ensure equitable and transparent distribution of public resources, considering the specific needs of each school. The goal is to provide students in both public and private subsidized schools with a safe and conducive learning environment. The government's investment in school infrastructure is crucial for improving the overall quality of education in Mauritius.
A total of 82 private secondary schools have benefited from the PSEA's funding, including 17 schools under the SeDEC. The funding provided under the Comprehensive Grant Formula helps schools to maintain and upgrade their infrastructure, ensuring that students have access to modern and well-maintained facilities. This support is essential for private schools, which play a significant role in Mauritius' education system.
The government's spending on school infrastructure is part of its efforts to improve the quality of education in Mauritius. By investing in modern and well-maintained facilities, the government aims to provide students with a conducive learning environment that supports their academic success. The funding for private secondary schools is also expected to promote equity and inclusivity in the education system.
The Minister of Education's response to the parliamentary question highlights the government's commitment to transparency and accountability in its funding of school infrastructure. The detailed breakdown of the funding and the eligibility criteria for private secondary schools demonstrate the government's efforts to ensure that public resources are used effectively and efficiently.
Key points
- The Mauritian government spent Rs 576.11 million on infrastructure maintenance and repairs for private secondary schools between January 2025 and June 2026.
- The funding was provided under the Comprehensive Grant Formula to support 82 registered private secondary schools.
- The government's investment in school infrastructure aims to provide students with a safe and conducive learning environment.
