The education system in Mauritius

The Mauritian education system

The Mauritian school system is based on the Anglo-Saxon model and is divided, as is often the case elsewhere, into 3 main stages: primary education, secondary education and higher education. Moreover, the wearing of uniforms is compulsory in government schools, each bearing its own colors.

Regarding kindergarten, the Ministry of Education and Human Resources recommends that all children between the ages of 3 and 5 must attend a preschool and then go on to primary school.

The end of secondary school is marked by the Higher School Certificate (HSC), awarded by the University of Cambridge.

What about expat children in Mauritius?

Most expat children in Mauritius attend international schools. There are a plethora of schools to choose from in each category.

International schools in Mauritius

For serial expats or those who want a multicultural education, international schools apply American, English and mostly similar educational standards worldwide, making for an easy transition if there is a change in destination.

There are private schools in Mauritius that operate according to the British and French systems.

The curricula follow those of their respective systems, and it is possible to obtain the General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE), the French baccalauréat, and the International Baccalaureate (IB).

HEI Schools Mauritius – Forbach (North)

This is the first Finnish kindergarten in Mauritius, inspired by Finland's internationally recognized educational model.

It opened its doors in September 2025 and welcomes young children into a caring, creative environment focused on learning through play.

Based on the values of Finnish education, the school offers a modern pedagogical approach that encourages autonomy, curiosity, and the child's overall development.

Royal Road, Forbach, Mauritius

Phone: (230) 5944 2264

Email: hello@heischools.mu

Alternative schools in Mauritius

In Mauritius, alternative schools (Montessori, active pedagogies, democratic schools) are gradually gaining visibility, offering a more flexible, child-centred option for expatriate parents.

Among the most notable is L'Île aux Enfants Montessori in Cascavelle, which provides bilingual English–French education from preschool onwards, in an environment that emphasises autonomy and creativity. Other institutions include Montessori Pre-School Northfields (Mapou) and the Montessori preschool of École Paul et Virginie in Tamarin. Another alternative school project is L'Odyssée du Savoir, inspired by Sudbury and Montessori approaches, with a strong emphasis on free choice, the environment, and inclusion.

These schools often operate with multi-age classrooms, little to no formal assessment, flexible schedules for child-chosen activities, and interdisciplinary projects (general characteristics of alternative pedagogies). However, they remain relatively rare, still developing, and often full. It is advisable to seek information early, visit the schools, meet the directors, and understand each institution's admission process before enrolling.

Schools that may be of interest include:

• École Montessori Internationale du Nord (Mauritius): A bilingual French–English Montessori school located near Grand Baie / Belle Vue Pilot: it currently offers classes for children aged 2 to 6 and aims to open a 6–12 section starting in September 2026.
• La Maison des Enfants: an alternative bilingual (English/French) preschool in Tamarin using Montessori pedagogy and multi-age grouping for children aged 3 to 6.
• Les Enfants du Soleil: an alternative elementary school in Tamarin, that extends the Montessori/respectful pedagogy beyond preschool.

School enrolment in Mauritius

School enrolment in Mauritius takes place well ahead of the local academic calendar (school year begins in January). For entry in January, private and international schools generally open applications between March and September. French or international institutions (AEFE, IB, Cambridge) often have separate admission sessions, and application files usually need to be submitted no later than July or August.

Public Mauritian schools accept enrolment applications between August and November, but foreign families often prioritize private schools, which tend to be more flexible.

Documents required for enrolment

Schools generally request:

• The child's passport and birth certificate.
• A copy of the parent or guardian's passport.
• Proof of address in Mauritius (or a rental agreement).
• Report cards from the past two school years.
• Vaccination record and medical certificate.
• The school's own enrolment form.

Good to know:

It is not necessary to wait for the residence permit to be approved before starting the enrolment process in a private school. Most institutions accept children under “pending regularisation” status, provided the family has already begun the administrative procedures (permits, lease agreement, etc.). Final documents can therefore be submitted before the start of the school year.

Textbooks and school supplies in Mauritius

School textbooks are generally available before the end of the calendar year (November–December), but this schedule does not always align with that of newly arrived expatriate families.

The main points of sale are:

Librairie du Printemps (Éditions du Printemps), located in Curepipe and Port Louis – This is the official supplier for many private and international schools. Partner institutions (École du Centre, Bocage, Northfields, etc.) send out a list of textbooks each summer, including the ISBN codes and an approved supplier (often Éditions du Printemps).

Bookcourt, located in Bagatelle and Grand Baie – This bookstore offers Cambridge, IB and AEFE textbooks, with online ordering available.

However, newcomers often face two difficulties:

• Textbook sales take place before their arrival (in December).
• Stock may be limited once the school year has begun.

If possible, consider buying textbooks in your home country before moving. Otherwise, contact the school as early as June–July, as most of them provide the full list and contact details of partner suppliers (often via a Google Drive link or PDF) during this period.

Moreover, some international schools (Northfields, IPS, Telfair) supply textbooks directly or include them in tuition fees. Some of them (École du Centre, Collège Pierre Poivre, École de l'Ouest) have introduced an online group order system with on-site collection at the start of the school year.

IB and Cambridge schools increasingly offer digital textbooks included in their learning platforms (e.g., ManageBac, Google Classroom, and ActiveLearn).

As for school supplies (pens, notebooks, pencil cases, bags), these are easy to find in major supermarkets (Winner's, Intermart, Carrefour) as well as in local stationery shops: Papeterie Star, Papeterie Bounty, Stationery World, My Academia. International schools usually send a standard supply list for each class (often as early as June).

Moving to Mauritius with young children

If you are relocating with a young child, what are your childcare options during working days or weekends? What activities are available for families with young children?

Childcare options

Childcare options in Mauritius have diversified significantly in recent years. In addition to the many private nurseries and preschools found across all regions, particularly concentrated in the centre (Quatre Bornes, Curepipe, Vacoas) and the north (Grand Baie, Mapou, Pamplemousses), new facilities are now emerging in the west and south.

Google Maps and the registers of the Early Childhood Care and Education Authority (List of Registered Private Pre-primary Schools) list more than a hundred accredited establishments, including neighborhood daycare centers, bilingual pre-primary schools, and facilities using alternative pedagogies (Montessori, Finnish-inspired, sensory-based).

In the west (Tamarin, Flic-en-Flac, Albion, and Rivière Noire) in particular, the range of options has expanded considerably. This area now includes six family-style micro-nurseries such as Les P'tits Mounes or Ti'Petons, childcare services attached to international schools (e.g., École Paul & Virginie, La Maison des Enfants), as well as an increasing number of independent nannies offering home-based services—often English-speaking or bilingual—via platforms such as Babysitter.mu or community Facebook groups.

Most nurseries operate from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and some offer an “after-care” service until 6:00 p.m. Fees generally range from Rs 4,000 to Rs 9,000 per month, depending on the region and the child's age, with initial registration charges.

To find a facility, you can rely on Google Maps, Expat.com (nurseries/childcare section), or parent groups on social media (Mauritius Mums, Mums of the North/of the West).

Hiring a nanny or domestic worker

In Mauritius, nannies, domestic helpers and housekeepers fall under the Employment Rights Act. They can be employed directly by a private individual through a written contract specifying working hours, tasks, leave, and salary. Contracts include 22 days of paid annual leave, sick leave, public holidays, and contributions to the National Pension Fund. Employers must declare their employee to the Mauritius Revenue Authority (MRA) and make monthly social security deductions (CSG/NPS contributions).

Most expat families hire local nannies, often recommended by other parents. However, it is advisable to check references and request a Certificate of Character (equivalent to a criminal record extract).

Other forms of childcare are also on the rise:

• Childminders/in-home nannies: still not heavily regulated, but very common in tourist or residential areas. Expat families often employ experienced local nannies on a full-time or part-time basis.
• Micro-daycares and early stimulation clubs: offering flexible arrangements, often created by independent educators (especially in the West), and accommodating 4 to 8 children for half-day sessions.
• After-school centers: providing afternoon care, homework assistance, and recreational activities (e.g., workshops from Ti Rayons Soleil or MPRB).

Daycare centers and nurseries

Daycare centers are intended for parents of children who are too young to attend school. These structures have a staff that is generally bilingual in English and French, and trained in the field of early childhood.

You will find a list of daycare centers and nurseries on the Expat.com directory.

Preschools

Will your child be 3 years old when you arrive in Mauritius? It is compulsory for children to go to school from this age on. A list of preschools is available on the Expat.com directory. Google Maps, which lists several dozen addresses, should also be useful in helping you in your research.

Homeschooling and home-based education in Mauritius

Choosing homeschooling does not mean isolation in Mauritius. On the contrary, the island offers a very favorable environment for an active social life for children, thanks to the many associations, sports clubs, art workshops, and community groups.

In recent years, many expat and Mauritian families have formed cooperative learning groups in the regions of Tamarin, Grand Baie, Moka and Curepipe. These small networks meet regularly for educational outings, craft activities, or themed workshops (science, nature, art, languages, etc.). They often use rotating supervision between parents and independent educators, in a spirit similar to an informal alternative school.

Facebook networks such as “Homeschooling Mauritius” or “Mauritius Mums” make it easy to find families using the same education model or bilingual learning pods.

Home-based education is not explicitly regulated in Mauritius, but it is tolerated as long as parents ensure the child's learning progress and overall well-being. Some families join forces to create micro-classes or home-based learning pods, often led by a private teacher.

Child-friendly activities in Mauritius

Mauritius also has a lot of activities that will keep your young children busy, or that you can do as a family. Here are a few examples:

La Vanille Nature Park – La Vanille Crocodile Park, now called La Vanille Nature Park, was founded in 1985. It owes its name to the vanilla formerly cultivated in the valley that is now home to this 5-hectare reserve. You can do the tour alone or decide to join a guided tour.

Vallé Advenature Park – It's a natural park rich in biodiversity, offering varied landscapes and activities for all ages. The park includes an area specially designed for the younger visitors: the Vallée Kids Park. This area is suited for children of various age groups and offers six entertaining and safe attractions. Among these, children can venture onto the Pirate Ship, experience thrills on The Bonding Roller Coaster Zipline, or even pilot the Mini Quad. The Mini Excavator and the Outdoor Playground round out the offerings, allowing children to safely discover the joy of exploration. Additionally, the park provides traditional activities such as hiking, zip-lining, and quad biking.

Casela Nature Park – A classic, Casela is one of Mauritius' most popular amusement parks and attractions. The park, which covers more than 350 hectares, offers a wide range of activities perfect for a good time with the family. The place is divided into 5 worlds: Thrill Mountain, Predator Kingdom, African Safari, Pangia Birds and Rides and World of Events.

Odysseo – Oceanarium – This is the very first oceanarium in Mauritius. It contains 45 habitats of different configurations, immersed in 2,000 m³ of water (1,500 m³ in the main aquarium) and home to 200 marine species from the Indian Ocean.

Gros Cailloux – Over a surface area of 385 hectares, the domain is located in Petite Rivière. There are 5 areas dedicated to agriculture, fruits and vegetables, nursery, maintenance and landscaping, and leisure.

Curious Mauritius – Located opposite the Seven Colored Earth of Chamarel, Curious Mauritius is the first interactive illusion and art gallery in Mauritius.

Bel Ombre Nature Reserve – Located in the 2,500-hectare Domaine de Bel Ombre, the Bel Ombre Nature Reserve covers 1,300 hectares; the perfect place to discover incredible biodiversity. You can also enjoy picnics, quad biking, buggy rides and hiking.

Gravity Max leisure complex – Situated at Tribeca Mall, the Gravity Max leisure complex provides a diverse range of activities. These include a remarkable 900-meter karting circuit spanning multiple levels. In addition to the karting, the complex offers bowling lanes, mini-golf, arcade games, darts, a baseball cage, car racing simulators, virtual reality (VR) video games, karaoke, and a couple of restaurants and bars.

Funtopia – another space where children can have fun and try out new activities. From the ropes course and slides to the ball pool and interactive games, there's something for everyone to enjoy while making lasting memories with friends.