School holidays : are there sufficient activities for youngsters?

Currently, our youngsters are on school holidays, which actually started from the moment their one-year academic programme was over. We conducted a couple of interviews, at the Caudan Waterfront, Port-Louis, last Friday, to find out whether there are sufficient activities for them to enjoy or benefit from after studying arduously for a year.

Eesha Puresh : “Currently, I do not have any suitable activities to keep myself busy”

“I am 16 years old, from Terre Rouge. My school holidays, as I   see it, are super boring. I have nothing to do except house chores, watching television, playing on my mobile phone and sleep.

Currently, I do not have any suitable activities to keep myself busy. I propose that either the government or some private organisations organise a summer camp for youngsters who are on holidays so that they may get involved in some interesting activities like tennis, football, etc.

This would provide an opportunity for us to make new friends and to socialise instead of sitting idle with mobile phones or stay at home without anything to do.”

 Medhini Gungaram : “I go out with my parents to visit Casela and other interesting places”

“I am 16 years old, from Pamplemousses. I can say that they are mostly about going out with my friends to do some shopping and I think this is the best way   to spend our holidays.

I think there are sufficient activities to keep us busy at times, for instance, I go out with my parents to visit Casela and other interesting places. These activities are enough for me to enjoy my holidays”.

Shajeaah Bibi Oderuth : “They are sometimes both good and bad”

“I am 16 years old, from Pamplemousses. Concerning my school holidays, I would say they are both good and bad, as my parents and older siblings are working and my little sister stays at home.

I have to look after her as well as undertaking some house chores but I have some plans for the family, especially in December. These would be picnics, shopping and end of year party.

In my opinion, some schools should organise a few foreign trips and that would be nice. For me, this would be a great way to explore and develop some more knowledge. In addition, schools should organise some extracurricular activities like yoga so that we can be together and relieve ourselves from some stress.”

Urvashi Aubeeluck : “There is a shortage of amenities”

“I am 16 years old, from Pamplemousses. My school holidays are being either spent at home or I go out with my friend because my parents do not have sufficient time for me.

They both have careers. Concerning activities for holidays, it seems to me that most activities are being catered for old people, as they have many outings with friends and a lot of activities, too. As teenagers, we do feel that there is a shortage of amenities. I recommend that some organisations help in putting up tournaments like badminton, cycling, etc.

Youngsters will then be exposed to a variety of interesting events that may render their holidays more productive. Even though we lack of a lot infrastructures, why doesn’t the Government invest in indoor games for us to enjoy ourselves?

 Reianna Boojhawoon : “I do not have anything to do”

“I am 18 years old, from Montagne Longue. My school holidays are not that good enough, as I do not have anything to do. There are some activities like swimming or hiking but due to a dearth of infrastructure in my region, we cannot have access to them.

For example, we do not have a really good swimming pool in Montagne Longue and the seaside is far away. As an 18 year-old, I think that if we could construct a good swimming pool in Montagne Longue, this would have been helpful for our holidays.”

Manasi Chundunsingh : “I roam around with my friends and watch movies”

“I am 16 years old, from Morcellement. After forms 4 and 5 (Grades 10 and 11), my parents allowed me more freedom to go out, even though I just started my holidays. Everything is going on smoothly and I roam around with my friends and watch movies. There are also a couple of family outings. I like to spend time with them in hotels. But mostly, I am at home, alternating my activities between cooking and sleeping. I do not think that there is a shortage of activities in Mauritius for young folks to enjoy their school holidays. I think there are much more to be explored in the future like diving, hiking and even more.”

Nishta Gooljar : “I have some plans to go out with my friends and family”

“I am 16 years old, from Notre Dame. I think they are going well as I have some plans to go out with my friends and family. This is how I spend my holidays but I think there are some facilities which are not available in Mauritius, like sports activities such as table tennis. We do not have sufficient or good infrastructure to practice properly with our friends or siblings.

My advice to the Government is to put up some table tennis courts like in other countries. People who want to practice such sports pay per hour to play. Even aquatic activities are not practiced that much, therefore, they should promote some activities, as we are staying on an island which is surrounded by water.”