Pauline Etienne
21 August 2007
Port Louis — Assembly is held in all schools every morning. More than a mere exercise in communication to deliver practical information, it appears to be a special moment of reflection.
Morning assembly - here at BPS Fatima in Triolet - is a way of making sure all pupils arrive at school on time and adopt some discipline.
A special time in the school day. This is how most rectors and teachers would describe the morning assembly. As soon as he came to power in 2005, the minister of Education, Dharam Gokhool, expressed his intention of re-introducing morning assembly in all schools in the country. This has now been done, seemingly to the satisfaction of the school community.
"The morning assembly represents a special moment in the life of a school. It is a time for reflecting on our society, our institutions and ourselves; our love for and loyalty to our motherland. It is a time to make resolutions about being better citizens and better human beings," minister Gokhool stated. And many teachers would agree with him.
Wills Daurat, the rector of La Confiance College, "strongly believes in the benefits of the morning assembly". It is the moment when the "announcements about everything that will be happening during the school day are given". Teacher Suresh Ramphul wrote: "Tactfully handled, it can be an excellent warm-up for the day."
For ten to fifteen minutes, practical information for the day is given to the whole school. Students are made aware of new decisions and changes or it can simply be a way for the rector to welcome his pupils to school. Unlike teachers who are constantly in touch with their pupils, the rector meets them quite rarely. "This is why I fully enjoy this specific time," states the rector of La Confiance College.
The morning assembly may also be the time where pupils are congratulated for a specific event. It gives them the feeling of recognition while all other pupils feel they are part of the same community. "They may feel happy to note that the college is making a name for itself or consolidating its reputation," comments Suresh Ramphul.
Something worthwhile to reflect upon
Likewise, many teachers and rectors seize the opportunity to ponder on the "thought for the day". It may be part of the prayer - which is done in certain schools - or it can simply be a proverb or phrase from a speech that will give students something worthwhile to reflect upon. The idea is to make them "adopt positive attitudes, fight prejudice and develop open-mindedness," according to Suresh Ramphul.
Morning assembly can also play a part in encouraging disciplined attitudes in the school. "It forces every pupil to arrive at school early before they all go to their classrooms," Wills Daurat explained. For all these reasons, the rector considers the morning assembly as important as any English, French or Mathematics class. More than a mere exercise in communication, the morning assembly can be a powerful tool.
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