Mauritius-Australia partnership strengthens ocean literacy through Odysseo @ the Schools Programme

The closing ceremony of the Odysseo @ the Schools programme, an educational outreach initiative by the Odysseo Foundation with the support of the Australian High Commission and Australian Aid, was held, yesterday, at Odysseo Oceanarium in Port Louis.

The programme aims to promote ocean literacy and environmental awareness among primary school students, particularly Grade 4 learners, through interactive workshops, hands-on activities and creative learning experiences linked to marine conservation and climate change. It focuses on strengthening knowledge of blue carbon ecosystems, marine biodiversity and plastic pollution, while encouraging students to adopt environmentally responsible behaviours from an early age.

The event was attended by the High Commissioner of Australia to Mauritius, Ms Kate Chamley; the Acting Director of the Ministry of Education and Human Resource, Mr Raj Kumar Gopaul; the President of the Odysseo Foundation, Mrs Caroline Rault; the General Manager of Odysseo Oceanarium, Mr Stephane Robert, along with partners and other stakeholders involved in the programme.

In her address, Kate Chamley highlighted the importance of strengthening environmental education and international cooperation in addressing ocean-related challenges. She commended the initiative for bringing global environmental priorities into local classrooms and empowering young learners to become active stewards of the ocean. She also reaffirmed the commitment of the Australian High Commission in supporting programmes that foster sustainability, climate awareness and youth engagement in environmental protection.

For his part, Mr Gopaul highlighted the need to ensure equal access to environmental education, especially for children from disadvantaged backgrounds. He stressed the value of educational visits to the Odysseo Oceanarium, noting that direct exposure to marine ecosystems helps reinforce classroom learning and broadens students’ understanding of environmental issues.

Mrs Caroline Rault and Mr Stephane Robert jointly reflected on the journey of the Odysseo @ the Schools programme, highlighting its strong impact across Mauritius and Rodrigues. They emphasised the importance of collaboration between educational institutions, partners and local communities in delivering meaningful environmental education. They also expressed appreciation to all participating schools, facilitators and supporting organisations for their commitment to the programme’s success.

Implemented through school outreach sessions and educational visits, the programme engaged students in activities such as plastic pollution awareness workshops, upcycling projects and discussions on marine ecosystems and climate action. Since its launch, it has reached 49 schools, delivered more than 50 presentations and engaged approximately 2,228 students across Mauritius and Rodrigues.

The initiative also featured key activities including a beach clean-up campaign in Rodrigues and celebrations marking World Ocean Day in Flic en Flac, further strengthening awareness and action towards ocean conservation among young learners.

12 June 2026

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Topics: Education, Rodrigues, Maritime