The National Institute for Civic Education (NICE) project 2013,  which aims at nurturing citizens who are filled with pride in national identity, was launched yesterday in the four educational zones at Droopnath Ramphul State College, Queen Elizabeth College, France Boyer de Giroday State Secondary School and Sir Abdool Raman State College.
Around 400 Form IV students of both genders from state and private secondary schools in Mauritius and Rodrigues are participating in the programme. The NICE project 2013 is in line with the Government Programme 2012-2015 which aims to establish a national initiative for the youths of the Republic of Mauritius with a view to inculcating a sense of national belonging and rootedness. It provides a common platform for shared experience as well as to strengthen ruggedness, resolve and discipline; provide useful skills and vocational knowledge; and engage the youths in meaningful activities.

The programme consists of one-day sharing and team building activities in each training centre with 100 participants. Interactive, participative and experimental sessions stretched on four days on four themes namely country, community, society and individual are also on the agenda.  

The component ‘individual’ comprises leadership, creativity, healthy lifestyle and entrepreneurship skills. The theme ‘community’ fosters unity in diversity and harmonious living. The component ‘society’ includes discipline, societal norms and responsibility while the theme ‘country’ focuses on history, democracy and nation-building.

Furthermore, a two-day placement exercise of the 400 participants in economic and service sectors of the Mauritian economy will ensue. A one-night residential seminar at Pointe Jérôme Youth Camp for girls and at Le Chaland National Coast Guard Unit for boys are also scheduled.  The programme will culminate with the celebration of citizenship followed by the award of certificates ceremony.

The NICE Pilot project was launched last year which brought together some 200 Form IV students of both genders aged 15 and 16 years from State and private secondary schools in Mauritius and Rodrigues. The pilot project was held from 11 to 20 December 2012.