CABINET DECISIONS – 06 FEBRUARY 2009
1. Cabinet has taken note of the results of the Higher School Certificate 2008 Examinations. 8,907 candidates sat for the examinations in 2008 as compared to 8,517 in 2007 and the rate of passes was 78.71% in 2008 as compared to 77.75% in 2007. Cabinet has also taken note of the performances of all secondary schools.
2. Cabinet has taken note that a survey, carried out by the Ministry of Industry, Science and Research, has revealed that, despite the global economic downturn, investment to the tune of Rs 440m would be made in the Textile and Clothing Sector in 2009 and about 2,065 job opportunities would be generated. The Ministry of Industry, Science and Research would continue to provide the necessary support and facilities to the Textile and Clothing Sector through projects under the Manufacturing Adjustment and SME Development Fund and the Additional Stimulus Package.
3. Cabinet has taken note of arrangements made by the Ministry of Industry, Science and Research to harmonize the management of industrial space available in the country in line with the industrial development strategy and to further facilitate the ease of doing business in Mauritius. It is also proposed to upgrade the existing industrial infrastructure and to design new industrial space taking into account the needs of investors and new trends in eco-friendly industrial buildings.
4. Cabinet has taken note of the status in the implementation of the Technical and Vocational Education and Training Reforms, the main objective of which is to render the delivery of technical and vocational education and training relevant, efficient and effective while making lifelong learning a reality.
5. Cabinet has taken note of the political situation prevailing in Madagascar and that our Ambassador in Antananarivo has informed that all Mauritian nationals are safe. However, they have been advised to remain vigilant and cautious. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade is closely following the situation.
6. Cabinet has taken note of the activities that the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology proposes to organize to mark the Safer Internet Day, viz. –
(a) launching of the Safer Internet Day Website which would provide information on the reasons for safety online;
(b) awareness campaign on Internet Safety; and
(c) distribution of brochures on Internet Safety and fact-sheets on cyber-bullying and social networking.
The Internet Safety Day, commemorated on 10 February, aims at raising awareness on the safe and responsible use of new technologies, particularly among youth.
7. Cabinet has taken note that bilateral air services talks were held with the Aeronautical Authorities of Malaysia on 13 and 14 January 2009 in Mauritius. A new Bilateral Air Services Agreement has subsequently been adopted and a Memorandum of Understanding, providing, inter alia, for the following, signed -
(a) increase in weekly frequency, should the need arise; and
(b) the designated airline of one Party to enter into code sharing arrangement with the designated airline of the other Party within the domestic points of each Party.
8. Cabinet has taken note that the resumption of studies in pre-primary, primary and secondary schools had been smooth. Cabinet has further taken note that -
(a) 17,018 pupils joined pre-primary schools;
(b) 16,535 pupils were admitted to Standard I, in Government Primary Schools, and schools of Hindu Education Authority and Roman Catholic Education Authority as compared to 17,425 pupils in 2008;
(c) 15,339 pupils were admitted in Form I (mainstream) in National Colleges, Regional State Secondary Schools and Private Grant-Aided Schools;
(d) 2,583 students, having either failed CPE twice or overaged to remain in primary schools, were enrolled in the pre-vocational stream; and
(e) 1,694 students of Year III Pre-Vocational Classes were enrolled on the National Trade Certificate Foundation Course run by the Industrial and Vocational Training Board.
9. Cabinet has taken note of the outcome of the Extraordinary SADC Summit held on 26 and 27 January 2009, which had met to review the implementation of the Zimbabwe Global Political Agreement signed on 15 September 2008 by all the major parties, namely Zanu PF, MDC-T and MDC-M. The Summit resolved on a series of measures for an amicable settlement of the challenges facing Zimbabwe.
10. Cabinet has taken note of the outcome of the mission of the Minister of Women’s Rights, Child Development and Family Welfare from 21 to 24 January 2009 to the Republic of Guatemala where she participated in the Second Ministerial Meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) on the Advancement of Women. The meeting, which had as theme “Advancement of Women Towards the Millennium Development Goals (MGDs)”, aimed at –
(a) providing an opportunity to Member Countries to delve into the realities and challenges facing the advancement of women in essential areas, such as education, health and employment;
(b) following up on actions agreed upon during the First Ministerial Meeting on the advancement of women; and
(c) examining the compliance with the MDGs from a gender perspective.
In the margin of the Meeting, the Minister of Women’s Rights, Child Development and Family Welfare met Hon Dato Sri Dr Ng Yen Yen, Minister of Women, Family and Community Development of Malaysia, with whom she discussed women empowerment and gender equality, as well as, training and research programmes in the region.
11. Cabinet has taken note of the outcome of the mission of the Minister of Agro Industry, Food Production and Security on 26 and 27 January 2009 to Spain where he participated in the High Level Conference on Food Security for All. The Conference provided a valuable forum to assess progress made since the Rome High Level Conference in June 2008 and has identified measures to support and sustain a lasting movement to combat poverty, hunger and malnutrition.
12. Cabinet has taken note of the constitution of the Employment Relations Tribunal and that the following persons have been appointed independent members of the Tribunal –
(a) Mr Maurice Christian Aimé Laurette,
Former Marketing Executive,
De Chazal and Associates
(b) Mr Renganaden Veeramootoo,
Public Relation Officer,
Centre de Développement de Curepipe
(c) Mr Hurryjeet Sooreea,
Former Principal Labour Officer at the Ministry of Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment
Cabinet has also taken note of the reconstitution of the National Remuneration Board following the promulgation of the Employment Relations Act. Mr Nathanaël Marion Ryland Helène would hold the office of Chairperson of the Board until the appointment of a new Chairperson.