All Schools and MITD Centres Closed in Mauritius This Tuesday

All schools and vocational training centres across Mauritius have been ordered to close this Tuesday, according to an announcement reported by Le Défi Media. The closure covers all educational establishments on the island, as well as centres run by the Mauritius Institute of Training and Development (MITD) — the government body responsible for technical and vocational education across the country. **What is the MITD?** The Mauritius Institute of Training and Development (MITD) is a public institution under the Ministry of Education that provides vocational and technical training programmes to school leavers and working adults. It operates multiple centres island-wide, offering courses in fields such as construction, hospitality, IT, and beauty therapy. **Why are schools closing?** While the original announcement did not specify the precise reason for the closure, it comes against a backdrop of significant civil unrest in Mauritius following the high-profile shooting of Élodie Thomas, a civilian struck by a police bullet in the Camp-Levieux area. The incident has sparked public anger, street protests, and road blockages in several parts of the island, including in Sainte-Croix, prompting authorities to take precautionary measures. School closures of this nature are typically ordered when public safety conditions on the roads — or within communities — are deemed unsuitable for children and staff to travel safely. **Who is affected?** The closure affects students at all levels — from primary through secondary — as well as staff, parents, and the thousands of trainees enrolled in MITD programmes nationwide. Parents are advised to make arrangements for children to remain at home for the day. **What this means** For families across Mauritius, Tuesday will be an unplanned school holiday. The decision reflects the seriousness with which authorities are treating the current social climate. It is not yet known whether the closures will be extended beyond Tuesday, and parents should monitor official government communications and local media for updates. Source: Le Défi Media