Section 5D: National Examinations Board for the secondary education

5D. National Examinations Board for the secondary education sub-sector (1) There shall be, for the purposes of this Act, a National Examinations Board for the secondary education sub-sector. (2) The functions of the Board shall be to – (a) organise and conduct examinations in respect of such subjects for the secondary education sub-sector as the Ministry may determine; (b) develop rules and regulations for such national examinations and assessments; Acts 2023 77 (c) develop assessment frameworks and assessment syllabuses in the subjects listed in the Second Schedule; (d) set and moderate examination papers; (e) organise the marking and moderation of examinations scripts; (f) prepare examiners’ reports on the candidates’ level of performance in the subjects examined; (g) conduct research on assessments for the secondary level; (h) partner with relevant institutions, local and international, as may be necessary for the conduct of examinations; and (i) establish linkages with international bodies to undertake, inter alia, benchmarking of national qualifications. (3) The Board shall consist of – (a) a Chairperson, to be appointed by the Prime Minister; (b) the supervising officer of the Ministry or his representative; (c) a representative of the Prime Minister’s Office; (d) a representative of the Ministry; (e) a representative of the Ministry responsible for the subject of finance; (f) the Vice-Chancellor, University of Mauritius or his representative; (g) the Director, Mauritius Examinations Syndicate or his representative; (h) the Director, Private Secondary Education Authority or his representative; 78 Acts 2023 (i) the Director, Mauritius Institute of Education or his representative; (j) 3 members having wide experience in the field of education and in examination-related issues. (4) The members specified in subsection (3)(j) shall – (a) be appointed by the Minister; (b) hold office for a period of 3 years; and (c) be eligible for reappointment. (5) There shall be a Secretary to the Board who shall be a public officer. (6) The Board may retain the services of – (a) such public officers, on such terms and conditions, as the Secretary to Cabinet and Head of the Civil Service may approve; and (b) such employees of such relevant institutions, as it may require in the discharge of its functions. (7) The Board shall meet as often as it is necessary at the request of the Chairperson, and at least once every month. (8) In the absence of the Chairperson, the Board shall be chaired by the supervising officer or his representative. (9) At any meeting of the Board, 6 members shall constitute a quorum. (10) (a) The Board may, in the discharge of its functions, set up such committees as it deems necessary. (b) Subject to any direction given by the Board, any committee set up shall regulate its meetings and proceedings in such manner as it may determine. (11) The members of the Board and its Committees shall be paid such fees and allowances as the Minister may determine. Acts 2023 79 (12) (a) Every member and officer of the Board and Committees shall, before assuming the duties of his office, take an oath of secrecy in the form set out in the Third Schedule. (b) No member or officer shall, during or after his tenure of office, use or disclose any matter which came to his knowledge in the discharge of his functions, except – (i) for the purposes of this Act; or (ii) where he is so required by a court of law or under any enactment. (c) Any person who c determine. Acts 2023 79 (12) (a) Every member and officer of the Board and Committees shall, before assuming the duties of his office, take an oath of secrecy in the form set out in the Third Schedule. (b) No member or officer shall, during or after his tenure of office, use or disclose any matter which came to his knowledge in the discharge of his functions, except – (i) for the purposes of this Act; or (ii) where he is so required by a court of law or under any enactment. (c) Any person who contravenes paragraph (b) shall commit an offence and shall, on conviction, be liable to a fine not exceeding 200,000 rupees and to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years.