Is the Time Ripe for a University in Mauritius?

A Glimpse into 1961

Anybody coming across a copy of Le Mauricien of 24th February last must have been amused by the stupidity contained in one of its articles bearing the same title as ours. And if anyone wants to laugh a little, I recommend him to the same.

In the article, my friend (professor, I should say) Epsilon (mute ‘e’ of the Greek alphabet) has been speaking about Municipal Elections, Labour Government and a lot of other things. Totally out of place. He has been lamenting, for most of the time, about the sort of teachers teaching in Aided Secondary Schools. Well, one need not climb a tree to see that all this has nothing to do with the creation of a university here in Mauritius.

It is no more a secret that Le Mauricien and all its acolytes (…) cannot see any reason why a university should be instituted here, as it may prove harmful to themselves. As far as the wealthy class is concerned, it is a trifle for one of that community to go to England and pursue higher studies there. But what of the thousands of poor, but intelligent students, who have to put an end to their studies after secondary education only, just because they cannot afford to study abroad owing to acute financial difficulties? (…)

Mauritius is moving fast towards independence, and in order to achieve its goal, she must improve her economic and social activities, among which education finds a prominent place.

We need men with a higher degree of intelligence and understanding here; to produce them, it is very essential that we have a university. The standard of education is very low. Technologists are scanty. Secondary education is being imparted to the ignorant by the ignorant. Unemployment is increasing daily through the fact that the people are not qualified for the jobs they are seeking. Numberless are those half-baked intellectuals who can neither fulfil the requirements of the jobs of their dreams, nor take up a manual occupation, just because neither academic nor technical education has ever been imparted to them. What has destiny in store for them? But if these same young people could be trained in a university, they would have a sound knowledge of their jobs. They should not necessarily become doctors or lawyers or teachers; they could become manual workers as well.

We should not forget that we learn, not for school, but for living a worthier life. Thus, the prestige of the common man too would be elevated, as he would have acquired a good knowledge of the world, as well as a good education.

The scandalous state of affairs prevailing in our secondary schools too would be put an end to. We would have many local graduates to teach the various subjects in these schools.

Now, there are many whose parents have the means to send them abroad (because there is no university here). But, according to reports, most of them take a far longer time than necessary to obtain their degrees, because, being under no control, they waste their time frequenting clubs, theatres and cinemas. This is also a sheer waste of money. But if they had stayed here and attended a local university, they would be under better control and guidance in their environment. Moreover, the amount of Mauritian money spent abroad would stay here.

Now, some people may say that at a time when Mauritius is facing a financial crisis, how can it afford to spend money on a university which is no small project after all? But if we scrutinise the point, we shall see that the Government will have to spend practically nothing on it. Of course, in the beginning it will have to find the money to make it stand. But afterwards, everything will be running smoothly.

In the first instance, we find that the Government is annually spending Rs 240,000 on the six scholarship winners. By making them stay here, only a fraction of that sum will be needed; moreover, the number of scholarship winners will not only be increased, but the rest of the money may be granted to the university.

Next, the fees obtained by the students will help a great deal. Funds may be raised by the university itself by organising sports, dramas and other social activities. So, we see that, as far as finance is concerned, the Government has not to worry itself much about it. In the beginning it will be difficult for the university to be independent, as we have not enough experts to teach here. So, although the coaching will be done here, the examinations may be carried out, and the diplomas issued, by English universities.

If we want an ‘Entité Mauricienne’, this is a fine way to foster it. A university here will train people of different communities to live happily together and understand one another.

I hope this is sufficient to show ‘Epsilon’ that the time is ripe for a university in Mauritius. I am not a great writer as he is. I am only a poor student who would have liked to benefit from the privileges of a university. I have not disproved him, because he has not been able to say anything in so many beautiful words, but here I have only written what I do know, and I should like to remind him that it is high time we had a university in Mauritius.

 A Mauritian Student

8th Year – No 344
Friday 7th April, 1961

Mauritius Times ePaper Friday 11 September 2026