Since I was a child, the yearly effervescence surrounding our Mauritian geniuses always captivated me. I loved everything about that national event: the kids shouting their lungs out, the laureates being lifted in the air, the fireworks, the drums…. Yet, as I grew up, I slowly noticed some cracks in the system.
Boasting itself as meritocratic, the laureateship does comprise unaccounted inequities. What remains most unfair to me is the fact that lower‑class students don’t have equal chances of becoming a laureate. Why? Well, they don’t have the chance to get Cambridge‑endorsed textbooks or to afford tuitions that average Rs 1000 per month. They can work even more diligently than a middle‑class pupil, yet the latter clearly has the upper hand.
This is a controversial point, but I genuinely believe that sometimes it places people on a pedestal. Academic achievement is one thing; being a good, virtuous human being is another. I’m not targeting anyone — I’ve seen laureates who are all‑rounders and fantastic people. But in most cases, those competing for scholarships often turn down opportunities that help them grow and forge their character. Whether it’s participating in MUN, applying to be part of the head team, or founding a club you’re passionate about — they feel insignificant compared to your HSC results.
Ah! I often hear these lines in laureates’ speeches: “I had a complete meltdown before the exams”, “I couldn’t stop thinking about that mistake I made in the paper”. Guess where I’m heading. The intense pressure. A‑Levels are a rat race, which may degenerate into unhealthy competition. I find it irrational to stop going to the gym or to sleep only four hours a day just to become a laureate. And the thing is, so many Mauritians do it. They’re chipping away at their physical and mental health.
I also find it terribly superficial to compare which school is mari’er (better) based on the number of laureates it obtains. It is honestly meaningless, as the work someone accomplishes is mostly on a personal level. Objectively, being a laureate depends on so many more factors than mere hard work. It is almost unpredictable, which makes me question all the media frenzy. I know countless people who deserve the honour of being a laureate, but who sadly aren’t.
To our high‑school graduates, congrats on your results! Whether you are a laureate or not, be proud of the path you’ve travelled. You were exhausted, you were terrified, but you didn’t give up. And that has made all the difference.
~Nathan ALLAGAPEN