Zones d'Education Prioritaires 

ZEP is a partnership between the private sector and the Ministry of Education through which private sector companies contribute voluntarily a sum of money every month to various projects and activities to promote the well-being of students of underprivileged schools. This project was originally initiated by the Ministry of Education in 2003. After a mutual agreement between the JEC and the Mauritius Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI), in April 2007, the management of the project was transferred to the MCCI. The project is directed by a Project Management Team which is made up of representatives of companies and of the MCCI, which coordinate, support and promote the action of the private sector in the ZEP schools. The role of the PMT is to ensure that the activities and initiatives of the private sector in each of the ZEP schools are in line with the mission objectives and strategy defined by their MCCI-ZEP partnership.

To participate in the ZEP project, companies can either:
- Sponsor a ZEP school and initiate development projects. In this case a ‘Company Delegate’ would have to be designated in order to supervise the projects; or
- Make a financial contribution on a voluntary basis to the MCCI.

Projects carried out:
• Employment of social workers (Liaison Officers) to create a link between the parents and the school
• Educational programmes
• Employment of a teacher that can give special classes to students with learning disabilities
• Support group outside classroom hours
• Initiation to reading and writing
• Development of students’ creativity
• Educational outings
• Installation of libraries
• Psychological support
• Improvement of school environment