The University of Mauritius ( UoM) agrees to postpone long scheduled examinations on account of the possibility that some of the candidates would be engaged in a religious festival. The UoM is an institution which is supposed to be neutral, independent and should at least aspire to reach the lower rung of the academic excellence ladder. At a time when the incomparable Minister of Tertiary Education is trumpeting the need for Mauritius to become a regional centre for higher education, the UoM has succeeded in showing that it is anything but worthy of being considered as an institution on a par with universities of world standing.

In this country, where no day goes by without some component thereof being involved in some religious fasting or festival, the decision of the UoM is shameful and will be a burden in marketing Mauritius as a hub for tertiary education. The UoM has also proved that it is under the diktat of a few politicians whose agenda is simply to balkanize the people. That a Minister arrogates to himself the authority to give instructions to the UoM is distasteful, but that the UoM should comply with them is a disgrace.

Unless this decision is condemned by everyone, the UoM and other institutions will be unable to hold back the floodgates of sectoral requests. All events will be subject to a demand from some religious group and, once a precedent exists, then it becomes diffi cult to say ‘ no’. The politicians who are behind this decision and behind other decisions which seem to create a dress code for some are harmful to the public interest.

Cambridge University sets examination papers for SC and HSC. All attempts with Cambridge in the past to postpone the examinations for religious reasons have been turned down. Besides, all those candidates who must have been preparing to take the exam on the scheduled date must be terribly disappointed. They must have planned their revision according to the timetable and any arbitrary change to it is most unsettling.

This country has many public holidays which are determined according to the demands of the various ethnic groups which make up this pleasurable country – “ Maurice est un plaisir”. Although they are branded national holidays, one cannot escape the ethnic dimension of each public holiday. To allow any one to interfere with educational institutions in respect of examinations or any assessment will bring us to a cliff.

This country must rank among the fi rst where religious ceremonies and manifestations dominate the social fabric.

God must love us tremendously and no wonder all our wishes are answered. Our prayers are instantly granted. Whatever may be the religious occasion, Mauritians invariably go out to place their Loto bets or gamble at the Champ- de- Mars. The practice of Religion and the lure of lucre are not antagonistic and we get along with both superbly.