The Government Teachers' Union (GTU) of Mauritius has placed student behavior and educator safety at the forefront of its demands during World Teachers' Day celebrations on October 5. The union's president, Vishal Baujeet, called for urgent measures to address the growing concerns. The celebrations took place at the Teachers' Centre in Quatre-Bornes. The GTU's demands aim to tackle the severe challenges facing classrooms.
Education Minister Mahend Gungapersad has announced that the government has launched consultations with the Attorney General's office and other ministries to develop a legal framework tackling school indiscipline. This move comes in response to mounting pressure from the GTU. The minister acknowledged the severe challenges facing classrooms, noting a legal and operational void in certain schools.
The GTU has put forward five key demands to address the issues. These include the appointment of Discipline Masters to manage behavioral issues effectively within schools and the deployment of security guards in all educational institutions to reduce and curb violence. Additionally, the union is calling for psychological support and follow-up care for educators who become victims of assaults on their workplace.
The GTU also demands a review and strengthening of legal provisions relating to the safety and protection of teachers. Furthermore, the union is seeking the continuation of dialogue and concrete actions from the ministry regarding issues that remain unresolved. Minister Gungapersad acknowledged the concerns, stating that discussions are underway to ensure the safety of all children, teaching staff, and non-teaching personnel.
While welcoming the ongoing talks, GTU President Vishal Baujeet urged the ministry to deliver concrete actions on these matters. Baujeet highlighted the broader evolution of the profession under the 2026 theme, "Standing with teachers: 60 years of protecting the profession, advancing its status and shaping our futures". The theme emphasizes the importance of educators in shaping the future.
Baujeet stressed that the rapid technological changes, including the introduction of artificial intelligence in classrooms, do not diminish the vital role of educators. He emphasized that teachers require trusted parents, respectful pupils, supportive institutions, and a society that fully recognizes their contribution. The profession has grown increasingly demanding, and the union is seeking to address these challenges.
Minister Gungapersad paid tribute to the dedication of both teaching and non-teaching staff. The government aims to create a safe and supportive environment for educators to excel. The ongoing dialogue between the government and the GTU is expected to lead to concrete actions to address the concerns raised by the union.
Key points
- The Government Teachers' Union (GTU) of Mauritius has made five key demands to address school indiscipline and educator safety.
- The demands include the appointment of Discipline Masters and the deployment of security guards in schools.
- The union is also seeking psychological support for educators who become victims of assaults and a review of legal provisions relating to teacher safety.
