Inclusive Leadership and the Transformative Power of Education
His Excellency Mr. Dharambeer Gokhool, G.C.S.K., President of the Republic of Mauritius, discusses inclusive leadership, the transformative power of education, and Mauritius’ enduring promise to the world.
“Investment in education is the most strategic and far-reaching investment any country can make.”
Question: Your journey, from a modest childhood to academic, minister, and now Head of State, has been remarkable. How has it shaped your view of leadership?
Answer: My journey has been unconventional. I come from a modest family of nine children, and a single formative moment set me on the path towards education. At the end of my primary schooling, when most children of my generation were expected to learn a trade or support their families, my head teacher, Mr. Abdool Raman Kasenally, asked to meet my mother. He told her, “I believe your son has potential. Please consider continuing his education.” That intervention proved decisive. My family chose to invest in my education. I pursued my studies in Mauritius and subsequently in India before returning home to join the University of Mauritius as an academic.
During the post-independence period, observing the aspirations of our people, I was gradually drawn into public life. In 1982, I was first elected to the National Assembly. At the time, academics could take leave from the university to serve in Parliament, provided they forwent their salary during that period. I accepted this without hesitation, as I felt a strong duty to serve the country. That dual experience in academia and politics profoundly shaped my understanding of leadership. It reinforced my conviction that politics and leadership are not about self-interest or personal advancement, but about service to society, the community, and the country. Over the years, this conviction has deepened. Leadership, in my view, is about responsibility, integrity, and the willingness to place the public good above personal considerations. My journey has taught me that institutions matter, but that compassion, humility, and a sense of purpose matter equally in public life.
Upholding the Constitution and National Unity
Question: How do you interpret your constitutional role in promoting unity, democratic values, and national identity?
Answer: As President of the Republic, my constitutional responsibility is to uphold the Constitution: ensuring our democratic institutions function effectively, the rule of law is respected, and every citizen’s fundamental rights and freedoms are protected. Equally central to this role is the duty to preserve unity within our diverse society. Mauritius is a country shaped by a rich and complex history, marked by successive waves of colonial rule under France and Britain and by the lived legacy of slavery and indentured labor. From this layered past, we have succeeded in building a nation that is broadly harmonious and cohesive.
Safeguarding that achievement is at the heart of my constitutional mandate. In fulfilling this role, I have sought to ensure that the Presidency remains close to the people. The State House is not a distant institution; it welcomes students, NGOs working in fields such as the environment, youth empowerment, and social inclusion, and citizens from all walks of life. I also maintain regular institutional engagement, including weekly meetings with the Prime Minister every Thursday, which form part of the dialogue necessary for good governance.
Beyond the State House, I participate in the country’s diverse cultural, religious, and social celebrations. These interactions allow me to hear our people’s aspirations, observe our society’s evolution, and remain conscious that diversity is one of our greatest strengths. Promoting unity in a plural society such as Mauritius requires continual attention and engagement. National identity cannot be sustained by constitutional provisions alone; it must be nurtured through dialogue, mutual respect, and a shared sense of belonging. I see the Presidency not merely as a constitutional office, but also as a moral institution that can help reinforce social cohesion, democratic culture, and confidence in our common future.
Education as a Strategic Lever for Future Prosperity
“Leadership is about responsibility, integrity, and the willingness to place the public good above personal considerations.”
Question: Your background in education is well known. How do you see education as a strategic lever for Mauritius’ future prosperity and social mobility?
Answer: My own life illustrates the transformative power of education. It opened doors that allowed me to move from a modest background into spaces of learning, service, and national responsibility. This experience shaped my conviction that education is not only a personal asset but a powerful instrument of national transformation. Since independence, Mauritius has consistently placed education at the center of its development model. We introduced free primary education in 1976, followed by free secondary and tertiary education in 1977, and later extended support through measures such as free school transport in 2005.
Each step was guided by a simple but profound principle: no child should be denied opportunity because of economic circumstances. The introduction of free school transport emerged from a human experience. During a visit to a remote village, a family shared that one of their two children had been kept at home because they could not afford the bus fare for both children to attend school. That moment underscored a powerful truth: access to education must not only exist in principle, but also in reality.
As Minister of Education, I placed strong emphasis on curriculum reform, teacher training, infrastructure development, and continuous improvement in learning outcomes. We also made an important distinction between equality and equity. Equality ensures the same provision for all; equity recognizes that some learners require additional support to reach the same starting point. Today, Mauritius has a highly educated, multilingual population, with a diaspora contributing worldwide in diverse professional fields. This represents a national asset of immense value. Investment in education is the most strategic and far-reaching investment any country can make because it shapes not only individual futures, but also the trajectory of the nation itself.
Looking ahead, Mauritius must ensure that our education system remains agile, inclusive, and aligned with the demands of a rapidly changing world. The future economy will increasingly reward adaptability, creativity, digital competence, and lifelong learning. Education must equip young people not only for employment, but also for active citizenship, ethical leadership, and meaningful participation in society.
Preparing the Next Generation for a Technological World
Question: Youth expectations are evolving rapidly, and technology is everywhere. How are you preparing the next generation?
Answer: We are living through a profound technological transformation, and our education system must evolve to prepare young people for the world they are entering. Artificial intelligence and digital literacy are being progressively mainstreamed, with AI integrated into university programs and information technology embedded within primary and secondary curricula. At the same time, our approach to education remains holistic. Education cannot be limited to certificates and diplomas. Our objective is to develop well-rounded individuals who are curious, creative, critical thinkers, and grounded in civic responsibility.
From the Presidency, in collaboration with the Ministries of Education, ICT, and Tertiary Education, Science and Research, we have launched initiatives such as the National Essay Competition, which strengthens literacy and awareness of national history, and the National Learn AI School Innovation Challenge, which allows students to apply artificial intelligence to real-world challenges. We are also expanding the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award – Mauritius Scheme, promoting leadership, community engagement, and entrepreneurial spirit.
Alongside technology, we continue to value reading, analytical thinking, and intellectual curiosity, fundamentally human skills that cannot be replaced by machines. We are equally attentive to preserving our linguistic and cultural heritage in a society where English, French, Creole, and many ancestral languages coexist. For us, heritage and innovation are deeply complementary. Preparing the next generation is not only a technological challenge; it is also a human and ethical one. Young people must learn to navigate complexity, misinformation, rapid change, and increasing global interdependence. They must not merely use technology, but shape it responsibly and critically while remaining anchored in citizenship, empathy, and democratic responsibility.
Leading on Sustainability and Climate Resilience
Question: Mauritius balances dynamic growth with a treasured environment. How should the country lead on sustainability and climate resilience?
Answer: We are conscious that we are a small island developing state. Although Mauritius’ own carbon footprint is minimal, our exposure to climate change is real, and we are acting on multiple fronts. We are investing in renewable energy, particularly solar, to diversify our energy mix and reduce dependence on fossil fuels. We are strengthening food security through technology-driven agro-industry, protecting coastal zones from erosion, and modernizing waste management.
Resilience is not only about defending what we have. It is about positioning Mauritius as a solution provider in the blue economy, agro-tech, and clean energy. We have the natural assets, educated workforce, and political will to play that role. We also want young Mauritians to help lead this transition, which represents new careers, industries, and a renewed sense of stewardship for the island they will inherit.
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