Independent Schools in Mauritius

Gross enrolment overall: 75.8% (2008)

Primary female–male ratio: 1.01:1 (2010)

Secondary female–male ratio: 1.00:1 (2010)

Primary pupil–teacher ratio: 22:1 (2010)

Secondary pupil–teacher ratio: 16:1 (2010)
 

There are seven years of compulsory education starting at age five. Primary school comprises six years and secondary seven, with cycles of three and four years. Some 96% of pupils complete primary school (2008). The school year starts in January. Education is free at the primary and secondary levels, partly subsidised at the pre-primary level and heavily subsidised at the tertiary level.

There are over 30 private independent schools in the capital, Port Louis, and the north. The rest of the country has about 80 private schools. Most private schools in Mauritius receive grants from the government for the running expenses of the schools. The Private Secondary Schools Authority (PSSA) represents the managers, teachers, staff of the PSSA and co-opted members. The PSSA seeks to standardise textbooks used by member schools, and maintains an updated website with a directory of the schools. The Mauritius Educational Development Company and the Development Bank of Mauritius are both involved in developing initiatives for private education.