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customer focus – improve academic performance and promote holistic development of students
Institution Name*: Droopnath Ramphul State College
Mauritius

The Problem

DRSC has a vision for its young adults- to make thinkers out of learners, prepare learners for a world of spiraling change, with a need to generate in a new trend. And to be able to turn its vision into reality, the school has a mission to achieve academic excellence by enriching the current curriculum with the new 3Rs- relating, representing and reasoning: responses to changing conditions where the need to think interdependently and collaboratively has been essential. The present curriculum caters for holistic development of our students. Both academic excellence and character building is promoted through extra-curricular activities so as to have a society that will survive in the fast-changing world and will help to develop the 21st century. The mission of DRSC is to develop the highest potential of learners and to prepare them for life-long learning: to “live to learn” in line with the established Motto. The school seeks to develop learning that empowers learners in human processes irrespective of the fast changing global environment. A need for visionary leadership which strengthens teaching to give mastery of literary, technical, scientific as well as artistic skills which promotes well-structured teaching approaches combining formal instruction, guided practice and independent learning within the framework of ethical codes was felt
Previously Focus was more on academic achievement where proper platform was not provided for the overall development of the students. In 2007 with the change of management initiatives were taken to enrich the existing curriculum to foster holistic development of the students. Clubs and committees were set up. A conducive environment for teaching and learning was provided taking into account emotional intelligence of our students. DRSC is a real second home for the students who are given the appropriate support. There is a dynamic Pastoral Care Committee and a Staff Committee. Many more co-curricular, cross-curricular and extra-curricular activities are organized. Students demonstrate their skills and concern through community work on environmental issues by distributing bags in fabric to avoid use of plastic bags, by distributing plants to the immediate vicinity in the making of a green Mauritius ( in line with the government policy), by making presentation of Majorettes for NGOs, and ministries. Students are also engaged in projects geared towards benevolence where visit to homes and disabled children are effected, celebration of Christmas at the seat of the school with children from different orphanages is organized. Financial help is also given to the community affected by natural disasters and for medical treatment through fund-raising activities. Outreach projects are also organized with cluster schools for the World Book Week and the World Environment Day. Blood Donation is a regular feature of the school. Students participate in campaigns to fight against drug abuse and corruption at national level. Our Form 1 students even produced a DVD on the importance of breakfast, an initiative of the Home-economics department and the Health Club. This department also organizes “Fête du Pain” every year and produced a Pamphlet on uses of yeast and healthy eating habits. (500 words)

Solution and Key Benefits

 What is the initiative about? (the solution)
The academic performance for HSC was raised from 90% to 97.27% from 2007 to 2009 with one Laureate added on the board of honours, one laureate for Public Speaking organized by English speaking Union (ESU). She participated in an International Public Speaking Competition. Our Educator responsible for ESU attended Shakespeare week in London.
Four students got Brilliance Award for being Top of the World in Arabic and Biology at SC, in Computing and Biology at HSC 2007 and 2008. Form 1 student was ranked 1st for creative reading at national level. DRSC has been awarded several prizes at regional and national level for sports, literary activities like project presentations, Essay writings, Painting competitions, performing arts, quiz and debates. One of our students got special award at Australian Maths Competition and one got a prize at Indian Ocean Region for painting. Upper VI students were awarded 1st prize for YAC (Young Ambassadors for Chemistry) at national level, the Chemistry HOD was also awarded 1st prize. Our Civic Action (CATs) project was selected among the five best. Our facilitator attended a conference at Istambul on Quality Assurance. Our IT teacher attended a course in Delhi in software development. Innovations have been brought specially in ICT field due to huge investment in the purchase of IT materials, networking, creating of website and social network for the school communitywith the support of PTA and It department. Learning can now take place beyond the school boundaries. Students and parents can interact, discuss topics on-line. Lower VI students are engaged in an on-line project of ‘Connecting Schools’ with African schools. DRSC is among the 31 selected countries from 104 submission by Microsoft Ltd, as a Pathfinder school. We interact through our virtual university on the global arena. DRSC is in a cluster with Canada, France, Israel and Qatar , our mentor school . Our school is a zonal pilot school for implementation of data logging in the teaching of Physics at A level. DRSC even organized a sensitization programme on this new technique whereby a half-day workshop was planned for educators (Physics) and Upper VI students offering Physics.
We have an outreach project with a Primary school of our immediate vicinity. Our Form II and III students initiate younger pupils on IT skills, hence a synergy for sharing of technical know-how and competence is encouraged. We have set up a cyberspace (with 12 computers purchased by the PTA). We share resources with the primary school pupils. Our fully equipped Computer Laboratory is used to run IC3 courses whereby the community at large benefit through courses run after school hours, during school holidays and during week-ends.
We work collaboratively with the local Microsoft APM, sponsors, stakeholders like banks, private enterprises and NGOs. Rector and IT educator attended a workshop in Johannesburg in April and an Innovative School Forum in Brazil in November 2009, both organized by Microsoft Ltd.
DRSC got awards for Best delegates and Best Delegations at the Model United Nations (MUN) in 2008 and 2009. (500 words)

Actors and Stakeholders

 Who proposed the solution, who implemented it and who were the stakeholders?
All these projects (except IC3) have been initiated by management with the support of PTA and NGOs, Mauritius Institute of Education, University of Mauritius, Ministry of Education, Culture & HR, Mauritius College of the air and other sponsors.
For Data logging in the teaching of Physics we were supported by Mauritius Institute of Education. DRSC was donated a PC, LCD projector, printer and IT appliances and software. At school level the workshop was organized by Physics Department supported by Mauritius Institute of Education. The IC3 is a collaborative project with the National Computer Board, Ministry of Education, Culture & HR and the school itself. It has been designed to train all civil servants, school leavers and any citizen on the use of IT.
The outreach project is an initiative of the IT Club and Management and implemented by our students of lower secondary level with the help of students and lecturer from University of technology on development of graphic software. The project of Connecting Schools was proposed by UNICEF Representative. It was launched by a personnel who purposely came from New York for the initiation and launching in the presence of the local representative. As far as the MUN is concerned it was organized by the Ministry of Education, Culture &HR (MOE) in collaboration with the local UN representative and sponsors. At school level the project is closely monitored by two educators of English Department. The CATs project was organized under the aegis of National Productivity and Competiveness Council (NPCC) and (MOE) and implemented at school level with members of CATs Club and Environment Club. Help was sought from the Ministry of Agro-industry and fisheries for technical support, landscaping and acquisition of plants. The project was setting up of an endemic garden. A consultant, a well-wisher of the school gave technical assistance in preparing the Environment Impact Assessment. We got assistance from one of our sponsors, Harel Frères Ltd for cleaning of the plot of land and that of scavenging from District Council of the Ministry of Local Government. This project enriched students knowledge on plants, scientific and biological names and specifications, created an awareness of the beauty of nature, the importance of planting trees and the need for a green environment. It also enhanced the school compound by transforming a plot of bare land into a garden which is along-term and sustainable project.
As far as enhancing of academic performance is concerned the Senior Management Team has been fully involved with implementation of the syllabus through constant monitoring through scheme of work, weekly plans, daily lesson plans, record of works, assessments both formative and summative, common tests, internal exams and mock exams. Through performance Audit progress is closely monitoring and remedial actions are taken when needed. Parental help is also sought to support school’s initiative. A pedagogical committee has been set up for the purpose of monitoring performance. There is also a Performance Base Budgeting (PBB) Team for different department. The target is set and monitored by the HODs. (500 words)

(a) Strategies

 Describe how and when the initiative was implemented by answering these questions
 a.      What were the strategies used to implement the initiative? In no more than 500 words, provide a summary of the main objectives and strategies of the initiative, how they were established and by whom.
The main objectives were to provide quality service within an ethical framework. Transparency and accountability were enhanced through dialogue and a system of open communication, through customer focus and a conducive environment implementation for teaching and learning. A mechanism of feedback has devised. Our customers (parents) are reached through Annual General Meeting, press communiqué, school journals, report books, newsletters, circular letters, correspondence by post, fax and
e-mails, phone calls, memos and meeting.
To raise performance, quality assurance and innovation have been implemented through proper curriculum management. The Curriculum framework was re-visited, giving more space to co-curricular, cross-curricular and extra-curricular activities. Curriculum standards were set where there was syllabus coverage evenly spread over three terms. Proper guidelines were provided to educators for implementation. Standardized textbooks and where necessary additional working materials were suggested by the HODs in consultation with the department concerned. Reports from the examining bodies and marking schemes were made available to all educators. Mentoring and tutorials were carried out for the newly recruited by HODs. DRSC, being a high performing school, emphasis is laid on quality of teaching and learning. Through the Hidden Curriculum values, beliefs, knowledge and attitudes are shared independently by learners in the learning process outside the “Official” Curriculum. Students are given opportunities for overall development through non-academic activities. Effectiveness and efficiency is assured at DRSC which has a strong visionary leadership. The vision is shared by all stakeholders. Students remain our focus and teaching and learning occurs in best condition. DRSC has high expectations and smart targets/ goals are set. Decision-making is collaborative and a shared one. Discipline and code of conduct are highly valued. There is positive reinforcement: a reward system has been established. The least achievements of the students and staff are celebrated with enthusiasm during the morning assemblies. Self-esteem is placed high. Professional development is encouraged and highly valued. Recognition and appraisal is the systematic evaluation of all works done at school. DRSC is a school where efficiency is gauged by ensuring Management of the Curriculum through scheme of work which shows breakdown of the syllabus content within specified time: term-wise and week-wise. Specific pedagogical tools like research works, projects, course works, laboratory experiments and practical are implemented. A proper assessments mechanism exists in both forms: formative and summative. There is end of year exams and term tests. End of year results are analyzed as per goal set and PBB (Performance Based Budgeting). Quality is constantly ensured by monitoring Curriculum implementation by the Pedagogical Committee through levelling exercise, monthly Reports and Department Development Plan, analysis of curriculum gaps and remedial measures, weekly and daily lesson plan, regular checking and marking of students copybooks, record of work, reasonable quantum of home work and class work, Performance Management System (PMS) and PBB. Performance indicators for increasing performance are set by respective departments and smart targets are also set. (477 words)

(b) Implementation

 b.      What were the key development and implementation steps and the chronology? No more than 500 words
To raise performance and improve quality Department Development Plan was devised by all departments. This is included in the School Development Plan. A Pedagogical Committee and a Promotion Committee have been set up to develop a performance monitoring mechanism by carrying out performance oriented activities through regular Performance Audit, by devising remedial tasks for low performers, by organizing fortnightly meeting with HODs to report on pupils’ performance, by carrying out performance analysis of continuous assessments, by conducting School-based training for educators, by sharing of knowledge through teamwork, by making students believe in their potentials and thus building trust in themselves through emotional intelligence, by bringing all subjects on the same footing, by converting school into a learning hub, by valorizing co-curricular activities: subject-wise, by soliciting and working towards parental involvement, by encouraging participation in extra-curricular activities, by integrating ICT across all curricula and by improving on thinking skills rather than memorizing
We believe in sharing. As such there is peer teaching and pair learning among students, Educators and HODs. Rector share ideas on pertinent issues, there is consultation prior to any Decision-making.
The vision of government to transform Mauritius into a regional ICT hub. To in line with government policy, use of ICT is encouraged in the teaching of all subjects curriculum. School has the support of PTA for the purchase of lap tops and LCD projectors with screens. Educators were given training by the supplier and our ICT specialist. Advance booking is done for ICT equipment and lesson panned accordingly. Firstly, six Computers were purchased for the library’s cyberspace and multi-media to encourage research work and to give more access to information. Tombola was organized to raise fun for this project. In consultation with our ICT specialist acquisition was made by quotation procedure, networking from the computer room to the administrative block and library (Phase 1) was done. Electrical installation was carried out by Electrical Services Division, lab attendants and external technicians. The second phase of the networking was done in the labs. The Audio-visual room has Internet connection also. Another acquisition of 3 Lap tops and LCD projectors with screens and printers were made from the Ministry prior to resumption 2009. The audio-visual room was upgraded with ICT equipment. Antenna and decoders were also purchased by PTA for transmission of knowledge channel. The cyberspace was upgraded with 6 more computers in 2009. Fund was raised from tombola. Four Notebooks, four LCDs and an interactive white board has been purchased prior to resumption 2010 from fund raised from sale of magazine and R120,000 cash prize for Excellence Awards. Our innovative school project can be better conducted with these ICT facilities.
Educators make use of iNET facilities. Students are working on “Connecting Classroom”. They also work on newsletters using different software. They are even connected to a social network for the school and the school’s website. The school community including parents and educators are connected. (500words)

(c) Overcoming Obstacles

 c.      What were the main obstacles encountered? How were they overcome? No more than 500 words
There was no major obstacle only that up to now we do not have a second internet connection in the library. The connection is very slow which hinders research work. Now PTA will finance the second connection and at resumption of studies, the situation will be better. The digital white board has not yet been installed but will be all set in January 2010.
4 PCs were stolen in 2007. Now the computer room, library, administrative block and library are under electronic surveillance. Audio-visual room is consolidated. There is no case of cyber bullying and cyber crime. There is still a group of educators who are reluctant to use ICT in teaching but they will be brought on board with time. Very few educators use iNET. But their interest is being aroused. A second computer lab needs to be operational. Furniture has been installed and electrical work done but we are still waiting for acquisition from the ministry. Upper secondary students have the tendency to be absent often.
DRSC needs to raise performance by choosing improvement strategies carefully through target-setting, transform ‘D’ grades into ‘C’ grades for all subjects: through revision work and remedial work, provide more opportunities for an overall higher percentage by setting as indicator the HSC results for the previous two years, target an increase of 0.5% on the overall performance in 2009. It is to be noted that we had an intake of mixed ability starting from 6 aggregate to 34 aggregate for our Lower VI intake. So. Performance my be below expectation as these students come from different state schools with average performance. HSC 2008 performance was above expectation with 97.27 %
The rector provides direction and bring on board the staff with her to work for the ‘shared vision' of the school. In order to provide quality teaching and learning, a conducive environment prevails. Being the key responsible the rector devises means to implement the mission statement of the school in collaboration with the staff, ensuring that the right conditions exist to help students achieve a high standard of learning.
Both teachers and students are empowered at DRSC. Quality of teaching and learning is provided through a revised curriculum which caters for all abilities. Because the needs of students are constantly changing, we feel there is a knowledge revolution. There is need for a deep knowledge to connect our students to those areas of studies which will provide them with endless opportunities after school.
There is close monitoring to ensure quality teaching and learning through implementation of the syllabus and continual assessment. Computing term marks with marks of internal exams reduces the rate of absenteeism and gives a better assessment of students’ performance throughout the year.

All facilities are provided to teachers to work for the mission statement. Lately materials from MCA and British Council have been purchased. These audio-visual materials have brought innovation to the quality of teaching and learning. (487 words)

(d) Use of Resources

 d.      What resources were used for the initiative and what were its key benefits? In no more than 500 words, specify what were the financial, technical and human resources’ costs associated with this initiative. Describe how resources were mobilized
Our main financial resource remains our Parent teacher Association (PTA) and sponsors. The school budget comprises of Grant-in-aid to PTA by the ministry: Per Capita grant of about R900 to meet expenses of Independence celebrations, Basic Grant of R5,000 for minor repairs, Matching Grant of R30,000 for expenses of minor repairs, maintenance and improvement of the school, Ad-hoc Grant of R100,000 for major project. organizes Fund-raising are through bring and buy, tombola, publication and sale of magazine, newsletters, sale yeast-products for fête du Pain, payment by the canteen holder, payment for photocopies, sale of school uniform, school journals, PE outfits and copy books, cash prizes for competitions and awards, projection of “Connaissance du Monde” and donation from sponsors. The amount received for Ad-hoc grant is R100,000 from Ministry for any major project of R200,000 every year. The initiative of ICT projects and networking amounted to some R400,000 and other projects like upgrading of the audio-visual room for knowledge channel: transmission of Mauritius College of the Air (MCA) programmes with ICT materials and equipment and burglar proofing for some R200,000. Technical support was provided by our ICT specialist who was appointed the project manager and advised the Rector and the PTA. However, recommendation was sought from resource persons of National Computer Board and Mauritius Telecom. For the installation of LAN (networking) services of external technicians and our lab attendants were sought. Some of the electrical work was performed by the Electrical Services Division of the ministry. The metal work for burglar proofing was contracted out by quotation procedure.
The project enhanced teaching and learning, aroused students interet as the cyberspace and the multi-media set up in the library encourages research work. The networking in the audio- visual room and the labs provided internet access during teaching. In-service training was provided by our project manager. Use of LCD projector was also encouraged and technical assistance and a workshop was carried out by the technicians of the supplier. The ICT installation has also given opportunity to the ministry to use our school as a platform for web-casting whereby rectors and Head of cluster schools come to our school for the transmission. As we have only7 lap tops andb7 LCD projectors, advance booking for the ICT materials need to be made. The same applied for the audio-visual room also. Students are also allowed to use these equipment for presentations. The administrative block has also been connected through a networking sponsored by the PTA. The school is used by different ministries and NGOs for conduct of seminars, workshops and meetings whereby ICT materials and public address system are provided by DRSC. The cyberspace is used by primary schools for outreach projects. Computer Labs are used in the week-ends, after school hours and school holidays to run IC3 courses for the community, civil servants and school leavers. This is a collaborative way of sharing our resources with the community. All equipment belongs to the school and have been purchased through ad-hoc grants where PTA contributes 50%. (500 words)

Sustainability and Transferability

  Is the initiative sustainable and transferable?
All initiatives are sustainable and transferable except the innovative one of Microsoft Pathfinder school. Proper management of the financial, social, intellectual and spiritual capitals makes good governance and as such for all projects implementation, sustainability has been foreseen taking into consideration all four capitals. To raise performance, benchmark has been laid down with written procedures and guidelines, step-wise so that with mobility of staff projects are sustained following criteria previously set. A strategic plan is devised with Department Development Plan to raise performance and improve quality. An action Plan is worked out by all clubs and committees also. Success criteria are clearly laid down within a time frame showing names of responsible officers and target set. Short-term and long-term plan are worked out. A data base of previous results which is available for comparative analysis has been created. There is a frequency for performance audit which helps to scrutinize students’ performance, and to take remedial action. SWOT analysis shows our strength and weaknesses. There is also a system of revise plan for any policy change or national curriculum reform and change in the syllabus by Cambridge University. The methodology, well set up so that with mobility of staff, the initiatives are sustained. There is a proper handing of scheme of work, record, weekly plan and daily notes and other tools related with the initiatives.
For ICT, there is a trainer and project manager, appointed to help sustainability. Students are given full exposure to information. They are trained in tomorrow’s skills and are prepared for a life-long learning and living in the fast changing, multi-cultural and socio-economic world. The cyberspace is for enhancement of special skills like making a photo story, use of Excel for data representations, working on slides for presentations, for the outreach projects, etc. and mainly for research work. ICT equipment is also used for outreach project and permission has been sought from the ministry and Head masters and will be sustained as clear conditions have been laid down.
Use of ICT in teaching is encouraged and appropriate software is made available. Teaching is enhanced with Internet connection which gives access to information when and where required. All initiatives are sustained as staff is motivated to take over and are brought on board. This project is being replicated in other schools also as government is also making huge investments in this field.
There is a guide for upgrade of school’s website and social networking. For other sites accessed by school, regular subscription is made for the latest version. The system is managed soundly and with flexibility. On a weekly basis there is an anti-virus scan by the lab attendant who also maintains all ICT hardware and software. For major repair help is sought from the ministry. As ICT is a fast changing field modem are changed when needed, hard disk upgraded with additional memory sticks. Educators have been appointed to share the responsibility. Measures are taken against cyber bullying and cybercrimes. Certain sites are prohibited for safety reasons. (500 words)

Lessons Learned

 What are the impact of your initiative and the lessons learned?
We have made a difference through team work, good strategic planning and dedication for hard work, strong, visionary and ethical leadership. Smart target is set and attained within a time scale. A collaborative spirit prevails and we have a good channel of communication system.
We have been awarded Public Service Excellence award for twice: Leadership and Team spirit in 2007 and Customer Focus in 2008. DRSC got Excellence Award for Education (Best Student Council/ Body of Prefects) in 2007, Best PTA for Secondary and Best Rector in 2008, Nominee for Best School in 2007 and 2008. DRSC has moved to the international platform through our Innovative school project as a pathfinder school. Both our staff and students have participated in international events. Our students are Top of the World.
We have moved from local to global curriculum and pedagogy. However, our students remain our focus: we are committed to provide a holistic development to all our students, prepare them to be responsible adults of tomorrow and to achieve academic excellence.
Teaching Staff are conversant with the recent curriculum reform of the Ministry’s strategic plan and are engaged to provide a World Class Quality Education. Our pass rate at HSC has raised from 90% to 97.27 % within 2 years. Our students are well prepared to face challenges of the global village due to opportunities provided by school for overall development and character-building alongside with academic achievements.
HODs work collaboratively on Department Development Plan (DDP) which is then compiled in the School Development Plan. After auditing, a SWOT analysis is carried out. The DDP and the PBB (performance based budgeting) are tools that help in the educational transformation whereby progress is scrutinized. Actions are prioritized and implemented. Remedial steps are initiated. We provide quality service to students, parents, visitors and community at large. Confidentiality is one of our ethical codes. Public trust has been enhanced through professionalism.

There has been a paradigm shift and as such we have revisited our systems, our procedures and our attitudes to ensure accountability and to put our customers first.
Our staff, with a different mindset, endeavour to improve and provide customer satisfaction through, a nice welcome of parents and students, a friendly atmosphere, proper guidance and help, proper dissemination of information and confidentiality, respect for one and all. Requirements of customers are identified. During the hidden curriculum needy students are identified and given psychological support by our staff and by zonal psychologist when need is felt. Financial help is also provided. We are all result-oriented. Accordingly a work culture prevails at DRSC. This attitude increases our motivation and boost up our spirit.
Prediction of the future needs of customers is planned. We have an orientation programme for the new intake and an integration with flexibility is foreseen during their transition period through face-to-face meetings. School strives to offer the best of education and to keep students happy in their second home. United we stand at DRSC to turn vision into reality. (497 words)

Contact Information

Institution Name:   Institution Name*: Droopnath Ramphul State College
Institution Type:   Government Agency  
Contact Person:   Dahmiantee Beeharry Panray
Title:   Rector  
Telephone/ Fax:   230 245 5378
Institution's / Project's Website:   230 243 4545
E-mail:   atmabp@intnet.mu  
Address:   Royal Road
Postal Code:   none
City:   Long Mountain
State/Province:   District of Pamplemousses
Country:   Mauritius

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