Quality of pre-primary education in Mauritius

Abstract

This study researches the quality of pre-primary education in Mauritius. Quality is important because literature points out that only good quality education has benefits for the child. Even more for early childhood education and care as it lays the foundation for future development and learning. Taking into account both the policy perspective and the daily practices of teachers, the study aims at researching the quality of both components. On policy level the National Curriculum Framework for pre-primary was analysed, and additional interviews were held with policy makers. Daily practices of teachers were observed using two measuring instruments, and afterwards teachers were interviewed both about their use of the National Curriculum Framework and their practices. The research findings point out that the quality of pre-primary education in Mauritius is relatively good, keeping in mind the context of culture, development of the sector and available resources. However, improvement is needed. Multiple recommendations are described for the pre-primary sector, guided by the need to take the individual child into account when providing for education. This principal needs to be more leading both in the National Curriculum Framework as the daily practices of teachers, making sure that relevant theories concerning early-childhood education are appropriately implemented in the classroom.