Duval Fires Back at Ex-Education Minister Over School Reform Row
PMSD leader Xavier-Luc Duval hit back at former education minister Leela Devi Dookun-Luchoomun, saying the numbers on the Extended Programme speak for themselves.
A sharp political exchange erupted on Monday 26 October between two veteran Mauritian politicians over the controversial Extended Programme, one of the most debated education reforms in recent years.
At a morning press conference held by the Mouvement Socialiste Militant (MSM), the main opposition party, former Education Minister Leela Devi Dookun-Luchoomun went on the offensive against Xavier-Luc Duval, leader of the Parti Mauricien Social Democrate (PMSD), known informally as the Blues.
Dookun-Luchoomun challenged Duval's credibility on education policy, pointing out that he had been part of the government coalition when the Extended Programme was introduced and had accepted it at the time. Speaking partly in Mauritian Creole, she said she would like to hear his explanation, questioned whether he truly understood education matters, and invited the public to judge his state of mind.
The Extended Programme is a government initiative that allows primary school students who do not meet the standard threshold in the Certificate of Primary Education (CPE) to continue into secondary school through an extended learning pathway, rather than repeating or dropping out. It has divided opinion, with supporters saying it reduces exam pressure on young children and critics arguing it lowers academic standards.
Duval, who leads one of Mauritius's oldest political parties, did not take long to respond. Later that same Monday afternoon, following the MSM press conference, he took to his official Facebook page with a pointed rebuttal. He invoked data to support his position, stating that the figures are unrelenting, the phrase that gave rise to the headline of the original report.
What this means: This exchange reflects a wider and ongoing debate in Mauritius about how to reform primary education without sacrificing quality or leaving vulnerable students behind. The Extended Programme has become a political flashpoint, with parties now in opposition criticising reforms they previously supported in government. For parents, teachers and students, the stakes are real: how children are assessed and streamed at primary level shapes their entire secondary school trajectory. Expect this issue to feature heavily as political parties position themselves ahead of future elections.
Source: ION News
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Extended Programme in Mauritius?β
The Extended Programme is a Mauritian government education initiative that allows primary school pupils who do not reach the required pass mark in the Certificate of Primary Education (CPE) exam to transition into secondary school through a longer, supported learning pathway, rather than repeating the year or leaving the system. It was introduced as part of a broader reform to reduce exam stress at primary level.
Who are Xavier-Luc Duval and Leela Devi Dookun-Luchoomun in Mauritian politics?β
Xavier-Luc Duval is the leader of the Parti Mauricien Social Democrate (PMSD), one of Mauritius's oldest political parties, sometimes called the Blues. Leela Devi Dookun-Luchoomun is a senior figure in the Mouvement Socialiste Militant (MSM) and served as Minister of Education during the previous government, during which the Extended Programme was implemented.
Why is the Extended Programme controversial in Mauritius?β
Supporters argue it removes harmful exam pressure from young children and gives more students access to secondary education. Critics, including some opposition politicians and educators, contend that it risks lowering academic standards and may not adequately prepare students for the demands of secondary school. The debate has intensified as former coalition partners now openly criticise the reform they previously endorsed.
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