HRDC announces Winners of National Essay Competition at Prize Giving Ceremony

"We have witnessed the incredible talent and level of awareness of the students

The Human Resource Development Council (HRDC) organised a Prize Giving Ceremony on 20 May 2025 at the World Hindi Secretariat, Phoenix to honour the top five winners of its 2024 National Essay Competition. The event brought together students, school representatives, government officials and other key stakeholders.

The national essay competition, launched in 2024 as part of activities to mark the HRDC’s 20-year anniversary, was open to Grade 12 and Grade 13 students from both public and private secondary schools. A total of 107 students from 39 schools submitted essays, with each school allowed up to five entries.

The essay topic, “Discuss how skills development is important to ensure the economic development of Mauritius in the ever-changing global landscape,” encouraged students to think critically on the importance of skills development in shaping the nation’s future while raising awareness about the HRDC’s role in capacity building and workforce readiness. The competition also served to engage students in reflecting on current and future challenges such as skills mismatch, employability and global competitiveness.

In his address, Mr Bhooyasheel Akshay Seedoyal, Chairperson of the HRDC stated,

“We are very proud of all the students for the quality of work they have demonstrated. This competition has served as a platform to engage our youth in critical thinking about skills development and the future of work. The depth of insight demonstrated by the students reflects a strong potential that, as a nation, we must continue to nurture. The HRDC remains committed to empowering the youth and aligning their aspirations with the evolving needs of the labour market.”

Mr Muhammad Usman Rawoo, Officer-In-Charge of the HRDC, congratulated all the participants and added,

“Through this competition, we have witnessed the incredible talent and level of awareness of the students. Initiatives like this are key to fostering a culture of lifelong learning and skills readiness among the younger generation. The HRDC will continue to invest in programmes that build capacity, bridge skills gaps and prepare our youth for meaningful participation in the economy.”

The winners of the HRDC Essay Competition are:

The winning students were each presented with a shield along with cash prizes as follows: Rs 25,000 for first place; Rs 15,000 for second place; Rs 10,000 for third place; and Rs 5,000 each for the fourth and fifth positions. In recognition of their participation and commendable efforts, all students and their respective schools received certificates of participation. Additionally, commemorative shields were presented to the top 5 winning schools in appreciation of their support and encouragement.