All Crèches in Mauritius to Remain Closed on Wednesday 14 October
Mauritius authorities have ordered all crèches to close on Wednesday 14 October amid ongoing unrest affecting the capital and beyond.
All crèches across Mauritius will remain closed on Wednesday 14 October, according to an announcement reported by Le Defi Media. The closure applies island-wide and adds to a series of disruptions to daily life as Mauritius grapples with a period of civil unrest centred on Port Louis.
The decision follows a broader shutdown of schools for the day, which was announced separately by the authorities. While mainstream schools are closed, national examinations — the School Certificate (SC) and Higher School Certificate (HSC), the equivalent of O-Levels and A-Levels — are still scheduled to proceed for the thousands of candidates sitting them this week.
Crèches in Mauritius are early childhood care facilities catering to infants and young children, typically from a few months old up to around three years of age. They operate under the oversight of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family Welfare. Unlike schools, which fall under the Ministry of Education, crèches serve working parents who rely on them for daily childcare, making their closure a practical concern for many families.
The closure comes as Mauritius experiences an unusual wave of civil tension, with scenes of unrest reported in Port Louis, the island's capital and main commercial hub. Public figures, religious institutions, and business organisations have called for calm, and authorities have moved to restrict movement and public gatherings in affected areas.
What this means for parents: Families with young children in crèches will need to make alternative childcare arrangements for Wednesday. Given the wider context of school closures and civil unrest, authorities are urging residents to stay home where possible. Working parents should check with their employers regarding flexible arrangements — Business Mauritius, the main private sector federation, has already called on employers to allow staff to leave work promptly during this period.
No specific reopening timeline beyond Wednesday has been confirmed at the time of publication. Parents are advised to monitor official government communications and contact their crèche directly for further updates.
Source: Le Defi Media
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Frequently Asked Questions
Are crèches in Mauritius open on Wednesday 14 October?−
No. All crèches across Mauritius are closed on Wednesday 14 October, following an official announcement amid ongoing civil unrest affecting the island, particularly Port Louis.
Who oversees crèches in Mauritius?−
Crèches in Mauritius fall under the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family Welfare, which regulates early childhood care facilities for infants and toddlers up to approximately three years of age.
Are schools and exams also affected on 14 October in Mauritius?−
Yes, mainstream schools are closed on 14 October. However, SC and HSC national examinations — equivalent to O-Levels and A-Levels — are still confirmed to go ahead for registered candidates.
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