institutions. Consequently, diploma and degree programmes are now free in Public Tertiary Education Institutions (TEIs), Polytechnics and MITD Training Centres. 241. This measure completes the cycle of free education and is a means to open access to tertiary education for those eligible students who would otherwise not have benefitted from it for lack of financial means. 242. Mauritius is positioning itself to become a regional education hub and is home to more than 40 private higher education institutions. The Higher Education Act was voted in December 2017 for a better regulation of the sector. The new legislation makes provision for a modern regulatory framework through the overhaul of the Tertiary Education Commission and its replacement by a new structure comprising separate entities, namely a Higher Education Advisory Council for policy direction, a Higher Education Commission registration and accreditation of higher education institutions and a Quality Assurance Authority for quality assurance of higher education in line with international standards. 243. As from January 2013, 24 Additional Scholarships on the basis of Merit and Social Criteria are awarded under the New Government Scholarship Scheme i.e to meritorious students coming from low income groups. 244. Tertiary level enrolment decreased from 48,089 in 2016 to 48,007 students in 2017. In 2019/2020, an amount of Rs 600 million will be spent for financing the Free Tertiary Education Scheme. The Government will also provide Rs 17.1 billion in the budget for the education sector. 245. There are around 2087 foreign students in our Universities and the aim is to double the figure in the near future. SPECIAL EDUCATION NEEDS 246. Government work closely with NGOs to deliver education to students with special needs. There are currently 41 NGOs run 53 SEN –registered schools. 247. The Special Education Needs Authority Act has been introduced in the National Assembly in 2018 and was proclaimed on 19 December 2018. It will provide for the establishment of a Special Education Needs Authority, that will monitor and facilitate implementation of special education needs policies of the Government. It will also be responsible for the harmonization and promotion of programmes and policies for the education and holistic development of persons with special needs, in line with the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. 108