12-Year-Old Boy Says He Was Repeatedly Bullied by Four Classmates

A 12-year-old secondary school student in Mauritius has come forward claiming he was repeatedly assaulted by four fellow pupils, in the latest case to highlight the serious problem of bullying in Mauritian schools. The boy, a collégien — a student attending a state or private college at secondary level — reportedly told his family and school authorities that the attacks were not isolated incidents but part of a sustained pattern of aggression by the group of four classmates. Details of where the incidents took place, the school involved, and whether the matter has been formally reported to police have not been fully disclosed by Le Défi Media, which first reported the story. **A Growing Concern in Mauritius Schools** Bullying in Mauritian schools — whether physical, verbal or increasingly online — has been a recurring concern for educators, parents, and child welfare advocates. While Mauritius has child protection legislation in place, including provisions under the Child Protection Act, enforcement within school environments and the reporting of bullying cases to authorities remain inconsistent. The Ministry of Education in Mauritius has introduced anti-bullying policies in recent years, and school pastoral care staff are expected to intervene in cases of pupil-on-pupil violence. However, parents and advocacy groups have long argued that these measures are not applied uniformly across all schools. **What Happens When a Child Reports Bullying in Mauritius?** When a bullying incident is reported in a Mauritian school, the process typically begins at school level — with the rector or principal, along with the school's pastoral care officer, investigating the complaint. If physical assault is involved, the case can be escalated to the Mauritius Police Force and, in serious cases, referred to the Child Development Unit (CDU) under the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family Welfare, which is the main government body responsible for child protection. Parents can also file a complaint directly with the police, particularly where physical harm has occurred. Perpetrators who are minors may face disciplinary action at school level or, in more serious cases, involvement of the Juvenile Court system. **What This Means** For families in Mauritius, this case is a reminder that school bullying — especially repeated physical aggression — should be reported promptly to school authorities and, where necessary, to police or the Child Development Unit. Children subjected to bullying have the right to protection under Mauritian law, and parents should not hesitate to escalate cases where school-level intervention proves insufficient. Educators and policymakers are under increasing pressure to move beyond awareness campaigns and implement stronger accountability mechanisms to protect vulnerable students. Source: Le Défi Media