Social Studies Grade 9 Notes - Unit 1, 2 ,3, 4 & 5

  • Social and Economic Development in Mauritius Since 1968: Achievements and Challenges.

    • Mauritius obtained independence from British rule on 12 March 1968.

    • Mauritius has its own Constitution.

    • Elections are held at regular intervals.

    • An elected government is responsible for the administration of the islands.

    • From 1968 to 1992, the Queen of Britain remained the Head of State.

    • Mauritius had a Governor-General who represented the Queen of Britain.

    • In 1992, Mauritius became a Republic.

    • The Queen was no longer the Head of State. Since then, the country has a President as the Head of State.

  • Social Conditions in Mauritius in the 1960s:

    • Rapid rise in population.

    • Housing conditions: Houses were built of either thatched roof or corrugated iron sheets, straw and wooden houses were also quite common.

    • Health issues: Some health problems in the 1960s were anemia among women, malnutrition, digestive disorders and ear diseases.

  • Housing Conditions in the 1960s:

    • Many people were poor and did not enjoy good housing conditions.

    • Houses were built of either thatched roof or corrugated iron sheets.

    • Straw and wooden houses were also quite common.

    • People faced problems in times of heavy rains and cyclones.

    • In 1960, cyclones ‘Alix’ and ‘Carol’ caused widespread destruction(Highest gusts 256 km/hr). Thousands of houses were destroyed, and many people became homeless.

    • Alix Jan 1960 Highest gusts 200 km/hr<

      -After the destruction caused by cyclones ‘Alix’ and ‘Carol’, the housing issue became a concern of the colonial government.

    • The government tried to tackle the housing problem by setting up the ‘Central Housing Authority’ (CHA).

    • It started with the ‘Housing Reconstruction Programme’ to provide concrete houses to those made homeless by the cyclones.

    • Between 1961 and 1970, some 14, 000 houses were built all over the island in both urban and rural areas.

    • These houses were sold at a subsidised price. They could be purchased by making a monthly payment over a period of twenty-five years.

    • Not long after the housing programme was completed, cyclone ‘Gervaise’ hit the country in 1975.

    • The government began a programme to build 10,000 houses over a period of 5 years starting in 1975.

      • Central Housing Authority (CHA)

      • Mauritius Housing Corporation (MHC)

      • Sugar Industry Labour Welfare Fund (SILWF)

    • Loans at very low interest rates were provided to the poor and low income households for the purchase of these houses.

    • After the passage of cyclones Alix and Carol in 1960, many families were homeless. The government decided to construct low-cost concrete houses to improve the situation. At that time, the Longtill company was given the contract for the construction of the small houses.

  • Health Issues:

    • The quality of health and medical care for the majority of Mauritians was low in the 1940s.

    • There were thousands of cases of malaria, poliomyelitis and tuberculosis.

    • In the 1960s, the number of diseases declined due to measures taken by the government.

    • Some other health problems in the 1960s were anaemia among women, malnutrition, digestive disorders and ear diseases.

    • The incidence of malnutrition was so high that milk and vitamins had to be provided to children.

    • The success of the campaign against malaria in the 1950s was the first great step towards improvement in health.

    • In 1973, the World Health Organisation gave Mauritius a certificate of malaria elimination.

    • Since Rodrigues was granted autonomy in 2002, the health services there have been under the responsibility of the Commission for Health.

    • There is only one major hospital located at Crève Coeur.

    • People living in other villages can have health services in the two Area Health Centres and in dispensaries located in some villages.

  • Rapid Rise In Population:

    • The population of Mauritius was approximately 795,000 in 1968 as compared to 420,000 in 1944.

    • This growth in population was partly as a result of the government’s campaign against malaria and other diseases which led to a decrease in the number of deaths.

    • Moreover, access to better health care, medication and vaccination contributed to a significant decrease in health problems over the island which resulted in a rapid rise in population.

  • Economic Development in Mauritius Since Independence:

    • Nobel laureate V.S. Naipaul visited Mauritius in 1972, He described the island as “an overcrowded barracoon overpopulated with a starving population, lazed by unemployment and plagued by despair”.

  • Mauritius in the 1960s: An underdeveloped colony

    • Overdependence on a monocrop industry: the sugar industry

    • At that time, the sugar industry was the main source of revenue of the island.

    • Profits obtained from the export of sugar were invested in development works, such as the construction of roads, public buildings, reservoirs, schools and hospitals.

    • However, the price of sugar in the world market and the profits obtained from its sale did not always remain the same.

    • The Mauritian sugar industry was very often affected by different factors such as:

      • fluctuating prices in the world market;

      • rising wages of workers;

      • unfavourable climatic conditions.

    • Government imported most of its goods: food items and many other necessities. As such, there were more imports and only one major export. Much of the revenue obtained from the export of sugar went into the import of other goods.

  • The development of sugar industry in Mauritius

    • Sugar cane was first introduced by the Dutch in the 17th century. In 1694, sugar was produced for the first time in Mauritius.

    • The French encouraged the cultivation of sugar cane in the 18th century. Governor Mahé de Labourdonnais established the first sugar estates at Villebague and Port Sud Est, now known as Ferney.

    • The sugar industry expanded in the 19th century under the governorship of Sir Robert Farquhar. Sugar was exported to Britain. More and more sugar cane was cultivated. More mills were built and sugar production increased.

    • The number of mills reached its peak in the year 1858, with 333 sugar mills over the island.

    • This process known as centralisation has been happening all throughout the 20th century. With new technologies (better machines) and the idea of reducing the cost of production, big sugar mills gradually took over the activities of smaller mills. The smaller mills were closed down.

  • Unemployment

    • Many Mauritians were employed in different sections of the sugar industry, for example, sugar factories and sugar cane fields.<

      -The workers were mostly employed in the sugar cane fields during the harvest season, but when the harvest was over, many of them were out of work.

    • Some young men who had completed their school certificate or obtained some other qualifications preferred to remain unemployed than to undertake manual labour in the sugar industry.

    • The introduction of mechanisation led to the loss of many jobs in the fields. Most of the work, harvesting and loading, started being done by machines.

  • Economists thought that the Mauritian economy would not grow as our newly independent nation had too many obstacles to overcome.

  • Obstacles to the economic development of the country (1960-1970)

    • Scarcity of natural resources

    • Shortage of management and technical skills

    • Insufficient funds for investment purposes

    • Distance from the foreign market

    • Distance from source of raw materials

    • Small domestic market

  • The solutions:

    • Diversification of the economy

    • Increased engagement in the industrialisation process

  • The Mauritian Miracle

    • favourable human capital

    • rise in life expectancy

    • cultural diversity

    • increase in the participation of women in the labour force

    • trade openness and a good financial system

    • high investment in health and educational institutions

    • government intervention to boost the economy

  • The Industrialisation Process in Mauritius

    • Import Substitution Industries (ISI)

    • An import substitution industrialisation (ISI) strategy was adopted in the early 1960s by the government.

    • The plan was to encourage local entrepreneurship, the creation of new manufacturing activities in the economy to reduce imports, and to increase self-sufficiency.

    • Though it did not contribute in the creation of many jobs, the ISI legislation started the industrialisation process in Mauritius.

  • Export Processing Zone (EPZ)

    • In 1970, Mauritius set up an Export Processing Zone (E.P.Z) based on the experience of countries like Taiwan and Singapore.

    • Industrialists were encouraged to manufacture goods for export purposes.

  • Mauritius offered many advantages and incentives to attract investors in the E.P.Z

    • Complete exemptions from payment of import duties on items such as machinery, equipment, spare parts and raw materials.

    • Internal and external communications such as telephone, air services and seaport facilities

    • Setting up of industrial estates

    • Subsidised electricity and water rates.

  • Mauritius had access to the markets of the countries making up the European community (Yaounde and Lomé trade agreement)

    • The country took advantage of the high demand for textiles in the European Union (EU) and United States of America (USA), which provided a solid base for expansion.

  • The production process in a factory

    • The inputs are brought to the factory.

    • The workers (labour) use the raw materials and machines to manufacture the goods.

    • The finished goods and waste are the outputs of the factory.

    • The finished goods are sent to the retail shops in Mauritius or exported overseas.

    • The wastes are sent to legal dumping grounds or can be reused.

  • Choosing a place for a factory<

    A. land Is there a suitable area of flat land on which to build the factory? Is the land relatively cheap to buy?<

    B. Site Is the factory situated close to a good road network, such as a highway or a motorway?<

    C. Government What special assistance is being provided by the government?<

    D. Raw materials, power, labour How easily can these inputs be taken to the factory?<

    E. Markets How easily can the outputs of the factory reach the markets or people who buy the goods?

  • By the end of the 20th century, the Mauritian economy diversified successfully into manufacturing, tourism, financial & banking services and ICT, as major pillars.

    • Nowadays, the services sector contributes on average 69% of the GDP (Gross Domestic Product), compared to 27% for the secondary sector and 4% by the primary sector, which consists of mainly agricultural activities.

    • The primary sector consists mainly of agricultural and fishing activities.

    • The secondary sector consists of manufacturing and processing activities.

    • The tertiary sector covers a series of activities. These range from wholesale and retail trade, hotels and restaurants, transport, storage and communications, finance and insurance, real estate, business services, community to social and personal services including public administration.

  • Economic Conditions in Rodrigues Since Independence In Rodrigues, the two major sectors in which almost all inhabitants were engaged in earning their living were agriculture and fishing.

    • Rodrigues has not experienced the industralisation process like Mauritius. Despite the construction of a ‘mini -industrial’ building by the Development Bank of Mauritius at Camp du Roi, industralisation never took off.<

      Today part of the building is used as call centre and for BPO activities..

  • Agalega Islands

    • Agalega forms part of the Republic of Mauritius. The atoll of Agalega is situated around 1000 km north of Mauritius. It consists of two islands: North Island and South Island.

    • The most important activity of the people on the islands is the production of coconut oil and copra for export.

    • Fishing is the main source of livelihood of the inhabitants.

    • An airstrip is found in North Island with a small terminal building.<

      Topic 3 Constitutional and Political developments in Mauritius (1968 – 1992)

    • In this section, you will learn about the political developments that have taken place in the country since independence till it became a republic in 1992.

    • Independence and Nation-Building

    • These elections were fought between the two main parties: the ‘Independence Party’ and the ‘Parti Mauricien Social Démocrate’ (PMSD).

    • The Independence Party wanted complete freedom from Britain.<

      I - The Parti Mauricien Social Démocrate (PMSD) wanted integration with Britain.<

      Nation Building and National Unity

    • One of the top priorities for Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam on getting independence was to build the nation by bringing all the people together.

    • Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam invited Sir Gaëtan Duval, the leader of the opposition, to join the government. This strategy was used to promote nation building and to maintain political stability in the country.

  • The Plural Society of Mauritius

    • Mauritius is known as a plural society where a variety of ethnic groups and communities of different cultures, religious and linguistic backgrounds co-exist and where all the ancestral cultures have been preserved.<

      The Case of Chagos Archipelago

    • You learnt in Grade 7 about the expulsion of the Chagossians to Mauritius. You also learnt about the ‘Hearing on Britain’s separation of Chagos Archipelago from Mauritius’ in the International Court of Justice in Grade 8.<

      A brief history of the Chagossians

    • after the British conquest of Ile de France in 1810, Mauritius and its dependencies passed from the French to the British rule. Thus, the Chagos Archipelago, which was a dependency of Mauritius, came under British rule.

    • In 1965 Britain excised the Chagos Archipelago from Mauritius in 1965 before granting independence to the latter in 1968.<

      In A chronology of some key historical events related to Chagos Archipelago

    • 1965 Britain separates the Chagos Archipelago from Mauritius, before granting independence, creating the so-called “British Indian Ocean Territory” (“BIOT”).

    • Britain allows the USA to use the largest island, Diego Garcia, as a military base.<

      The Constitution of the Republic of Mauritius states that “Mauritius” includes the Islands of Mauritius, Rodrigues, Agalega, Tromelin, Cargados Carajos and the Chagos Archipelago, including Diego Garcia and any other island comprised in the State of Mauritius.<

      The case of Tromelin -A brief history

    • Tromelin forms an integral part of the territory of Mauritius. However, France claims sovereignty over the island. In 2010, Mauritius and France reached an agreement on the co-management of Tromelin without prejudice to the sovereignty of Mauritius over Tromelin.<

      A chronology of some key constitutional amendments and political developments in Mauritius (1960s-1990s)

    • 1960 - Constitutional conference held in London to discuss independence. Parliament voted for the imposition of State of Emergency (restriction to political and union activities)<

      -2002 Autonomy granted to Rodrigues

    • Our Welfare State

      a state that takes measures to protect and promote the social and economic well-being of its citizens is called a Welfare State.<

      In a Welfare State, many benefits are provided to the population.<

      These benefits include free education, free health care and social services such as old age pension, free bus fares, free examination fees and others.<

      These benefits that are provided to the people are made possible by the revenue generated by the different governmental taxes.<

      Revenue for the Welfare StateMain purpose of taxation is to accumulate funds for the effective functioning of the government machinery.

    • Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Revenues Government of Mauritius = Welfare State Facilities and Services<

      Features of a Welfare State<

      It seeks to remove poverty, hunger and unemployment, and to bridge the gap between the rich and poor.<

      Features of a Welfare State<

      It gives equal importance to the liberty of the individual and the interests of the society.<

      It functions through democratic institutions and in a democratic way.<

      It seeks to provide welfare to people through planned programmes.<

      It gives equal rights to all, irrespective of their differences, does not discriminate and treats all equally.<

      Origin of the Welfare State in Mauritius

    • The first steps towards a welfare state system in Mauritius date back to the mid 1930s. It was during this time that relief systems were introduced for underpaid and underfed sugar estate workers who needed improved living conditions.<

      In 1950, a non-contributory old-age pension scheme was introduced for elderly men and women.<

      The Meade Report, which investigated the social condition of Mauritius in 1961, recommended that necessary steps be taken in order to improve the social and economic conditions of the people<

      -Measures welfare in the 1960s -1970s Welfare measures in the 1960s -1970s<

      Building of low-cost houses Vaccination and other health care programmes in school Introduction of a National Pension Scheme Setting up of the Mauritius Family Planning Association and ‘Action Familiale’ More primary schools Free health care services Free secondary education<

      Recent years, many new welfare facilities have been provided by the Mauritian government for an even stronger Welfare State.<

      -Better free health care and services (for example: new hospitals, ambulances and financial support for surgery abroad).<

      -Free transport for all students and retired persons.<

      -Free education from pre-primary to tertiary.<

      -Free textbooks and school materials to needy students.<

      -School Certificate (SC) and Higher School Certificate (HSC) examination are free on the first attempt. Increase in the amount of old age pension. . Minimum salary (Rs 9,500) for all workers.<

      Welfare budget in the Republic of Mauritius Housing and community amenities 11%.Recreational cultural and religious affairs 4. Education 33%Health 17%Social service and welfare 35%<

      Topic 2 Social Change Life in Mauritius<

      -Industrialisation has brought significant economic progress in the country. It has also led to changes in the social life of the people.<

      -The lifestyle of Mauritians has changed over the years. Nowadays, people have access to a variety of goods and services.<

      -As a result, people have a better standard of living and higher life expectancy. Industrialisation has also affected family life, the education system and the communication system and has created new social classes<

      The Mauritian society has changed a lot since independence and is still changing changes in the family structure.<

      -Traditionally, many Mauritian families were big in size, with many members living together. With industrialisation, the structure of the family has changed. There are fewer extended families and more families with lesser members.<

      Nuclear Family Reconstituted Family. Single-parent Family<

      -A single-parent family consist of only one parent and his/her dependent children living under the some roof<

      -A reconstituted family is when two families join together after one or both partners have. previous partners<

      _A nuclear family consists of mother and the gather and their children<

      traditional extended family is a family which extends beyond the nuclear family to include grandparents and other relatives all living under the some roop modified extended<

      -A family is a family which extends beyond the nuclear family<

      Nowadays the number of people that are leaving<

      Today there is diverse family. The family has retrained oly a few. The function of family ore and society is The family is an important acacy of socialization. It is the process. By what individual norms believes roles as they have changed. Industrialization there are gender<

      Boys and girls have same sight to get education<

      Most environmental and social Issues<

      -What's is The isue is the problem that are having with and why and how what and the causes and the past current and the furure.

  • Identify the countries /places from where people came to our islands;<

    Name and locate on a map some countries/places from where people came to our islands. Recall the reasons for their arrival on islands. Show an understanding of the historical links Mauritius has with these countries.<

    -Countries from with the early Inhabitants came<

    . After Independence Mauritius has maintained good relations with France Britain , countries in Africa ,India, Pakistan and China because of the historical links.<

    -France, Mauritius also maintains commercial and cultural links with - Mauritius after, 1968 with France Britain Africa and China with historical and commercial reasons.<

    -In recent years, the French Development Agency (Agence Française de Développement) has provided Mauritius with both financial and technical support for:improving the quality of infrastructure, energy transition improving climate resilience.1<

    -It has trading relations with South Africa which one of its largest trading partners.<

    Topic 2 Mauritius and its Contemporary Links with countries and organisations.<

    -You already name a few organisations with Mauritius has links discuss the importance of the membership with a Mauritius within the organization and appreciation of the importance of maintaining and strength relationship in the context of change on Globalisation<

    United Nations – UN with wealth of Nations, out Southern Africa Development Community SADC Indian Ocean Commission IOC. Common Market for East and South Africa COMESA INDIAN OCEAN RIM association IORA. Organisation Internationale DE La Francophonie Oil A. Africa union AU<

    Topic one Population studies Find out from the study What are the different changes the population studies<

    -. The way countries and people of the world interact and integrate is<

    called globalisation.Globalisation has led to the movement of goods, services, technology, knowledge and people across the world.<

    Promote peace, security and stability n order to improve economic development in the regionfacilitate and improve the movement of goods, services, capital and labourimplement projects inv various fields: environment, tourism, development o trade, fishing, telecommunications culture, handicraft, meteorologySupport education, training and researchBeing members of such organisations enables member countries

    1.what is rate in population of different in islands for the. republic of Mauritius as on 2018.2 what is the most different population of maines or females<

    3 write to and explain how to study. Republic in population. The population pyramid is special type of bar graph that show an age structure or age distinction of a population for mains and females What