Section 5: National Education Council

5. National Education Council (1) There shall be for the purposes of this Act a National Education Council. (2) The functions of the Council shall be to— (a) advise Government on policies for the effective direction, promotion and development of education; [Issue 9] E2 – 4 Revised Laws of Mauritius (b) review the implementation of plans, policies, strategies, programmes and projects for the provision of education; and (c) examine and make recommendations on any educational matter referred to it by the Minister. (3) The Council shall consist of— (a) the Minister, as chairperson; (b) the supervising officer of the Ministry; (c) the Executive Director, Tertiary Education Commission; (d) the Vice-Chancellor, University of Mauritius; (e) the Director, Mauritius Institute of Education; (f) the Director, Mahatma Gandhi Institute; (g) the Director, Mauritius Examinations Syndicate; (h) the Director-General, Open University of Mauritius; (i) the Director, Private Secondary Schools Authority; (j) the supervising officer of the Ministry responsible for the subject of industry or his representative; (k) the Financial Secretary or his representative; (l) the supervising officer of the Ministry responsible for the subject of vocational training; continued on page E2 – 5 E2 – 4 (1) [Issue 9] Revised Laws of Mauritius (m) the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry responsible for the subject of social security or his representative; (n) the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry for Rodrigues or his representative; (o) one representative of the National Children’s Council; (p) one representative of each of the Education Authorities; (q) one representative of each of the Federations of Parent-Teacher Associations of primary and secondary schools; (r) one representative of managers of private secondary schools; (s) one representative of primary school teachers; (t) one representative of private secondary school teachers; (u) one representative of State secondary school teachers; (v) one representative of the pre-school education sector; (w) 3 members having wide experience in the field of education; (x) a representative of students of secondary schools. (4) The members specified in subsection (3) (o) to (x) shall— (a) be appointed by the Minister; (b) hold office for 2 years; and (c) be eligible for reappointment. (5) There shall be a Secretary to the Council who shall be a public officer designated by the Minister. (6) The Council shall meet— (a) at least once every 3 months; or (b) on such other occasion as the Chairperson may determine. (7) In the absence of the Chairperson, the Council shall be chaired by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry. (8) At any meeting of the Council, 12 members shall constitute a quorum. (9) The Council may appoint such committees and co-opt to these committees such other persons, not already members of the Council, as it may consider necessary. (10) The members shall be paid such fees and allowances as the Minister may determine. (11) Subject to this section, the Council shall regulate its meetings in such manner as it may determine. [S. 5 amended by Act 49 of 1992.] E2 – 5 [Issue 7] Education Act