What curriculum do schools follow in Mauritius?

State school curriculum

Mauritius's state education system follows a reformed national curriculum administered by the Mauritius Examinations Syndicate (MES). At secondary level, it is closely aligned with the Cambridge International IGCSE framework. Students sit the National Certificate of Education (NCE) at the end of the primary cycle, and the Cambridge HSC (Higher School Certificate) at the end of the secondary cycle. Teaching is conducted in both English and French.

Key reforms

In 2017, Mauritius abolished the Certificate of Primary Education (CPE), the high-stakes exam that had defined primary education for decades, replacing it with a continuous assessment system through the Nine-Year Schooling curriculum. This reduced early examination pressure but created a transition period of adjustment.

International school curricula

British curriculum (Cambridge International): Offered by Northfields and several smaller schools. Students progress through Key Stages, then IGCSE, then A-Levels or Cambridge International AS & A Level. Highly portable for families returning to the UK or Australia.

French national curriculum: Offered by Lycée Labourdonnais and French school Lycée de Curepipe. Leads to the Baccalauréat. Suited to families with French connections.

International Baccalaureate (IB): Offered by ISM (full IB from PYP to Diploma) and partially by Clavis. The IB Diploma is widely recognised by universities worldwide and is the most internationally portable qualification.

University pathways

Mauritius has its own universities — the University of Mauritius and Middlesex University Mauritius campus — but most expat students pursue university studies abroad. A-Levels, the Baccalauréat, and the IB Diploma are all well-recognised by universities in the UK, France, South Africa, and Australia.