Obama and my Happy Moment

I listened to President Obama's first State of the Union address and he spoke of many issues of direct concern to Americans and also to the world at large,among 3which Education was one.


He put particular emphasis on a World Class Education for Americans to come out of poverty.He also emphasised the need for the promotion of Science and Math in the schools system.

In 2005,I was the Minister of Education and Human Resources of Mauritius,I started implementing an ambitious Educational Reform agenda for a World Class Education for All.I also initiated a project for all students of the Secondary Schools to take a Science subject upto Form V(Age 16/17).

Quality and Equity were main considerations.Those who had the potential to achieve better standards needed to be encouraged whilst those having difficulties had to be catered for .

No school system can adopt a One-Size Fits -All approach in addressing the needs of our children.The system has to be organised to address the differentiated needs of the children.

A vocal minority in the media and certain specific groups with vested interests came up with the argument that the reform was catering exclusively for the elite group.No sensible Minister of Education could adopt such policies.

I am happy that President Obama has recognised that we have to set high standards and adopt strategies to reach them.There is no point in setting standards that instead of raisng performance can in fact do the contrary.

A new idea often has to go through 3 stages: Opposition,Criticism and Acceptance.

I hope with time people will recognise the wisdom of the reform I introduced