Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Gaël Rangain
Published on 2024-03-23 07:00:04
Young people from families listed on the Social Register of Mauritius (SRM), who are soon to embark on higher education studies, can apply for scholarships. However, they must total 21 points, calculated based on the Gradings obtained in the Higher School Certificate (HSC) exams. The scholarship is valid for both universities and professional training.
The Ministry of Education offers scholarships of up to Rs 100,000 per year to students registered in the SRM. A Stipend of Rs 3,000 is also granted to beneficiaries every month. The money must be used for education in a university or another institution in Mauritius, validated by the Higher Education Commission. In addition to being listed in the SRM, eligible students must total a minimum of 21 points in the HSC exams. The calculation is based on the following criteria: an A* is equivalent to 10 points; A, 9 points; B, 8 points; C, 7 points; D, 6 points; and E, 5 points.
Applicants must also have already received admissions to a university or a professional training center. It is also advisable to choose a course from the HEC’s Priority Fields of Study 2021/2023 list. This list is available on the HEC website. Candidates must study full-time.
The scholarships are also valid for courses in the Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) sector. The eligible courses must be at the National Diploma or Higher National Diploma level, in an institution registered with the Mauritius Qualifications Authority (MQA). The list is available on the MQA website. A Diploma from Polytechnics Mauritius is also accepted. In all cases, to qualify for a scholarship, students must be enrolled in a full-time course.
However, for the TVET sector, the minimum 21-point criteria in the HSC exams does not apply, as students are generally enrolled after their School Certificate or if they discontinue their secondary education. Candidates must not have exceeded 25 years of age. Only those registering for their first year of studies are eligible. Foundation Courses are not considered.
In all three cases (university, professional, or vocational studies), candidates must be listed in the SRM, with a maximum family income of Rs 14,650, including social benefits. They must not receive any other form of study aid or scholarship, and must not work during their studies. The scholarship is renewable each year until the end of the studies, if the beneficiary passes the first year. In this regard, exam results must be provided. They must also sign a commitment to complete their studies.
It should be noted that this scholarship is also valid for students from Rodrigues and Agalega. The same conditions apply. These beneficiaries will receive an additional Rs 50,000 per year to pay for their accommodation. Their monthly allowance will then be Rs 5,000. The government will also cover their travel to Mauritius.
Interested applicants must apply using the appropriate form downloaded from the Ministry of Education’s website. They must also submit a copy of their birth certificate, national identity card, exam results, as well as the acceptance letter from the institution. It is advisable to submit their application no later than the last day of the month preceding the start of the course, in order to benefit from the scholarship at the beginning of the term. The application should be sent to: The Scholarship Section (SRM), Ministry of Education, Tertiary Education, Science and Technology, 1st Floor MITD House, Pont Fer, Phoenix.
Valid Criteria?
The conditions of this scholarship for young people from vulnerable families raise questions. Among the imposed criteria is the family income, which must be a maximum of Rs 14,650, including Social Benefits. If this amount meets the SRM criteria, for a family of three adults and three children, questions still arise.
The government has increased the minimum wage to Rs 15,000. When adding the wage compensation to Rs 1,500 and the Rs 2,000 CSG Allowance, the total amount for a parent receiving the minimum wage amounts to Rs 18,500. As a result, are some families at risk of automatically falling outside the SRM criteria and their children being disqualified for this scholarship?
Read the original article(French) on Le Mauricien
