SSR's Legacy Honoured at MGI With AI Video and Skills Fair

The legacy of Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam (SSR) — Mauritius's founding father and first Prime Minister — was commemorated on Tuesday, 29 September 2026, through a series of events held at the Mahatma Gandhi Institute (MGI) in Moka, central Mauritius. The activities were organised by the Foundational Programme in Literacy, Numeracy and Skills (FPLNS), a government-backed education initiative designed to support students who are struggling within the mainstream school system. The programme drew participants from approximately 17 schools across the island. **AI, arts and careers on the agenda** The highlight of the day was the launch of an artificial intelligence-generated video exploring how SSR's educational vision aligns with the goals of the FPLNS today. The programme also featured a careers showcase giving students a glimpse into different professional pathways, alongside a theatrical sketch, slam poetry performances, an exhibition, and various cultural presentations. Several senior officials attended the event, including Dr Mahend Gungapersad, Minister of Education and Human Resources, and Mahendra Gondeea, Minister of Arts and Culture. Vijay Sookharee, the national coordinator of the FPLNS, was also present. **What the minister said** Addressing FPLNS students directly, Dr Gungapersad stressed that the programme exists to bring struggling learners back into the educational fold — giving them the tools to improve and find their place in Mauritius's developing economy. **Who was SSR?** Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam led Mauritius to independence from Britain in 1968 and served as Prime Minister until 1982. He is widely regarded as the father of the nation and was a passionate advocate for universal education and social upliftment. His birthday, 18 September, is observed as a public holiday in Mauritius. **What is the FPLNS?** The Foundational Programme in Literacy, Numeracy and Skills targets learners who have fallen behind in reading, writing, and mathematics — skills seen as essential for any further education or employment. By tying its activities to SSR's legacy, the programme is positioning itself as a continuation of his democratic vision: that every Mauritian child, regardless of background, deserves a quality education. **What is the MGI?** The Mahatma Gandhi Institute in Moka is one of Mauritius's leading public educational and cultural institutions. It offers secondary education, higher education, and cultural programmes, and regularly hosts national events of civic significance. **What this means** For students in the FPLNS, events like this serve a dual purpose: honouring national history while connecting that history to their own futures. The use of AI to animate SSR's vision is a notable signal that Mauritius's education sector is looking to blend civic identity with modern technology — even for students who have traditionally been left behind. Source: ION News