Democracy and Political Governance Chapter 3 and to address issues arising from maladministration in the public sector, including local authorities. In cases of noncompliance with the ombudsperson’s recommendations, the constitution allows the ombudsperson to refer them to the highest authorities, including the PMO and Parliament. 155. Chapter 3 Education 161. The Ombudsman for Children Act of 2003 was a significant step in protecting children’s rights, because it established the Office of the Ombudsperson for Children. This is an independent and qualified office that ensures that public bodies, private authorities, individuals, and associations of individuals consider the rights, needs and interests of children fully. It is also responsible for promoting the rights and best interests of children and for ensuring compliance with the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Human rights reports 156. The CSAR recognises that Mauritius generally respects the human rights of its citizens. However, the CSAR emphasises some important issues contained in NHRC reports. The NHRC reports the following human rights abuses regularly: (i) police torture and abuse of suspects and detainees; (ii) unfair prosecution, police corruption, illtreatment and deaths in custody and prisons; and (iii) violence and discrimination against women. 157. The CSAR notes that the lack of institutional capacity and the absence of an independent appeal body are severe limitations to the investigative system in Mauritius. It expects that establishing an Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) will increase the number of complaints dealt with effectively. 158. The NHRC 2007 report shows that there are many cases of sexual discrimination in the workplace. This discrimination also occurs in the political sphere, because the participation of women remains inadequate. 159. Despite the enactment of the Protection from Domestic Violence Act of 1997, the number of cases of domestic violence remains high. Right of access to welfare 160. 98 The CSAR deals with the rights to education, health and housing as well as the rights of employees. Democracy and Political Governance Successive governments since independence have consistently promoted universal access to education. Education is currently compulsory up to the age of 16. In the public sector, education is free at primary, secondary and post-secondary levels, and minimal fees are payable at the tertiary level. According to the CSAR, there are large disparities in the performance of children, despite progress in democratising education. There is a positive correlation between these disparities and the level of development in regions. The government therefore recently introduced remedial measures to facilitate access for all. These include free transport for all students at primary and secondary schools and the Zone d’Education Prioritaire (ZEP) for disadvantaged students. The ZEP offers facilities to needy students and mobilises all resources in a specific zone to raise the standards of achievement. Health 162. Mauritians enjoy free health services within the broad framework of the welfare state, which were introduced in 1950. In a bid to ensure better access to a quality healthcare system and reduce the demand on the main general hospitals, the government decentralised the system by establishing primary health centres all over the country. Where appropriate, the government regularly collaborates with the private sector to provide services lacking in the public sector. It offers professional learning programmes in each region to keep the health workforce up to date and review the efficacy of current practices. The Mauritius Institute of Health coordinates education and training programmes with other institutions like the University of Mauritius. Housing 163. The Ministry of Housing and Lands has a housing programme that aims to provide ‘a shelter for all’. The government tries to collaborate with the private sector by encouraging its involvement in providing social housing for low-income groups or classes of citizens to achieve this goal. The Housing Division is primarily responsible for developing strategies and policies for the housing sector. The National Housing Development Company (NHDC) is currently responsible for implementing government-sponsored housing. 99