10.10.26
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Say No to Discrimination, Casteism, Partiality and Cronyism in the Education Sector 'get figir donn pwin' , ' nou bann avan'
Education must be a symbol of justice, equality and human dignity, not a breeding ground for discrimination, casteism and cronyism. Every student and education professional deserves equal treatment, respect and opportunities, regardless of social background, caste, community, personal relationships or circumstances. Schools and educational institutions must uphold meritocracy, transparency and fairness rather than favouritism, prejudice and abuse of authority.
Discrimination against individuals because they have a case before the courts is particularly concerning. The fundamental legal principle of presumption of innocence establishes that a person is innocent until proven guilty by a competent court. However, in some educational environments, individuals may experience the opposite treatment: they are effectively considered guilty until proven innocent. Such prejudgment undermines dignity, professional integrity and the principle of natural justice. A pending court case should not automatically become a justification for discrimination or unfair treatment. Equally important is fairness in assessment. Students and professionals must be evaluated according to transparent criteria, objective evidence and consistent standards, without personal bias, caste-based prejudice, favouritism or retaliation. Academic results, professional performance and career opportunities should reflect genuine merit and demonstrated competence. Ultimately, education leaders have a moral and professional responsibility to challenge injustice, protect equality and promote accountability. Say no to discrimination, casteism and cronyism. Say yes to fairness, integrity, equal opportunity and justice. An educational institution can claim excellence only when it treats every individual with dignity and impartiality.
Fairness in assessment is fundamental to educational integrity. The Mauritian expression “Get figir donn pwin” (awarding marks according to one’s personal perception of the individual rather than the quality of the work) reflects a troubling form of assessment bias. Marks must be awarded on the basis of the content, demonstrated knowledge, established marking criteria and objective evidence, not on personal relationships, caste, social background, favouritism or hostility towards the candidate. When personal prejudice influences assessment, meritocracy is undermined, deserving individuals are disadvantaged, and public confidence in educational institutions is weakened. Every assessor has an ethical responsibility to remain impartial, apply consistent standards and justify marks through transparent criteria. An individual's face, identity or personal circumstances must never determine the value of their work.
The mentality of “Nou bann avan” (“Our people first”) must never take precedence over meritocracy in education. Educational institutions are not the private property of any caste, community, social group or network of personal connections. Opportunities, appointments, promotions, recognition and assessment results must be determined by competence, qualifications, performance and objective criteria—not by the identity of the individual or their connections.
The principle योग्यता को प्राथमिकता — Meritocracy First calls for a culture in which merit prevails over favouritism, cronyism and discrimination. No individual should be rewarded merely because they belong to “our group”, nor disadvantaged because they belong to another. True educational excellence begins when fairness is universal, standards are transparent and every individual is judged by the quality of their work.
“To pa mars avek mwa, mo pa travay pou twa” — “You do not walk with me, so I do not work for you.” This expression reflects the dangers of political partiality, favouritism and exclusion. Public service must never become a reward for loyalty or a punishment for disagreement. Politicians are elected to serve the entire population, not merely their supporters, friends or political allies. Every citizen deserves equal treatment, respect and access to opportunities, regardless of political affiliation. True leadership requires integrity, fairness and impartiality. Ultimately, public service is a responsibility to all, not a privilege for a chosen few.
Yudhistir S.M.F Jugessur
59485117
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