2007年-世界发展银行全球_Survey_of_ICT_and_Education_in_Africa___Mauritius_Country_Report_12页_280kb

ICT in Education in Mauritius: Summary

Core Content

This document outlines the state of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) integration in the education system of Mauritius, based on a survey conducted in 2007. It highlights the country's strategic vision to become a "cyber island" and a regional ICT hub, informed by its economic development and the Singaporean model. The report covers the education system, ICT policies, current initiatives, and factors influencing ICT adoption in education.

Main Viewpoints

• Economic Context: Mauritius has transitioned from a low-income, agriculture-based economy to a diversified middle-income economy with significant growth in industrial, financial, and tourism sectors. It is ranked among the top performers in the global economy and has a high Human Development Index (HDI).
• Education System: The education system is based on the British model, with free education up to the secondary level since 1976 and post-secondary since 1998. There are a large number of pre-primary, primary, and secondary schools, but tertiary education is delivered by a mix of public and private institutions.
• ICT Policies: The government has been proactive in promoting ICT since 1989, with the National ICT Policy (NICTSP) launched in 1998. The policy aims to make ICT a key pillar of the economy and to create a regional hub. The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunications oversees these policies.
• ICT Initiatives: Several initiatives are in place to promote ICT literacy and access, including the Universal ICT Education Programme (UIEP), the Cyber Caravan, and the IT Empowerment Programme for the Unemployed. These projects aim to train a large number of people and improve access to ICT in remote areas.
• ICT in Schools: The Ministry of Education has been introducing ICT in schools since 1991. The School IT Project aimed to equip all primary schools with computer labs and provide ICT training to teachers. However, challenges in connectivity and resource allocation persist.
• Tertiary Institutions: Several institutions offer ICT-related courses, including the University of Mauritius, which has developed a lifelong learning framework through the Life-long Learning Cluster (LLC) and the Virtual Centre for Innovative Learning Technology (VCILT).

Key Information

Education System Overview

• Population: ~1.2 million (2005)
• Languages: English, Creole, French, Bhojpuri
• Schools: 1,070 pre-primary, 289 primary, 176 secondary
• Tertiary Institutions: 35 private and 50 overseas institutions, with a focus on niche areas like IT, law, and finance

Socio-Economic Indicators

ICT Infrastructure

• Network Readiness Index: 45th out of 115 economies (World Economic Forum)
• Fixed-line subscribers (2004): 287 per 1,000 persons
• Mobile subscribers (2004): 505 per 1,000 persons
• Internet users (2004): 146 per 1,000 persons
• Telecom Liberalisation: Early termination of incumbent operator exclusivity in 2003, with the ICT Act introduced in 2001

ICT Initiatives

• Universal ICT Education Programme (UIEP): Aims to train 400,000 people over four years with IC3 certification, offering a 95% discount on further ICT courses.
• Cyber Caravan: Provides ICT literacy and awareness courses in remote areas, with 55,700 participants as of 2007.
• ICT Services on Your TV Set: A new initiative to provide ICT education via television, expected to launch in 2007.
• NEPAD eSchools Mauritius: A project involving six high schools, with PC labs, media labs, and satellite TV access to educational channels.

Tertiary Education and ICT

• Institutions: Five institutions offer ICT courses, including the University of Mauritius, which has a strong focus on distance and e-learning.
• LLC and VCILT: The Life-long Learning Cluster (LLC) and Virtual Centre for Innovative Learning Technology (VCILT) are key components of the University of Mauritius, offering e-learning platforms and supporting lifelong learning.
• iLearn Platform: A tool developed by VCILT for delivering online modules, supporting conventional classes, and hosting training programs.

Factors Influencing ICT Adoption in Education

Conclusion

Mauritius has made significant strides in integrating ICT into education, with a focus on literacy, infrastructure development, and creating a skilled workforce. While there are strong enabling factors, such as a supportive policy framework and high ICT access, challenges remain in ensuring comprehensive and equitable implementation across all levels of education. The country continues to develop and refine its ICT initiatives to meet the needs of a rapidly evolving digital landscape.