Royal College Curepipe

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The Royal College Curepipe (commonly known as RCC) is a state boys-only secondary school located in the centre of Curepipe, Mauritius. Since its inception, the RCC has produced many eminent figures, members of parliament, ministers, doctors, engineers, accountants, executives, lawyers, judges, businessmen, other successful professionals as well as leaders in Mauritius. Founded in 1791 as 'Collège National' for the children of the privileged classes of that area, it is one of the premier secondary schools of Mauritius and was renamed 'Royal College' in 1813 by Sir Robert Farquhar, with the permission of George III, the King of United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland.

The Royal College Curepipe has an air of ancient austerity in comparison with the new town buildings around it. This magnificent building situated in the middle of Curepipe somewhat retraces the history of its country.

The RCC is one of the oldest institutions of Mauritius, but although the actual building was completed in 1914, the history of the RCC dates back to 1791. In 1912, the foundation stone of a building resembling a mini Buckingham Palace was laid in the centre of the town. The Royal College Curepipe has eventually become a secondary school among others, despite the fact of remaining the most prestigious and successful in moulding many eminent personalities of Mauritius, including Dr. Maurice Curé, founder of the Mauritian Labour Party; and Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam who later succeeded Dr. Curé as leader of that party, and led the country to independence, as well as Sir Gaetan Duval, Navin Ramgoolam, Pravind Jugnauth, Ajay Daby.

A gymnasium has recently been added to meet the demands of students, adding to the science laboratories, football pitch, basketball ground and tarmac grounds. The gym hosts facilities for fitness, badminton and table-tennis. There are many clubs operating within the school premises, one of them being the royal literary club, which consists of an executive board, all beings fellow collegians of the RCC. This organisation has since its foundation by the students been organising many activities and competitions for its member-students, some of the activities include spelling-bee contests, poem recitations, dictations, elocution contests, treasure hunts, football, table-tennis and badminton tournaments and drawing competitions, while duly rewarding the winners. By doing so, the organisers hope to mould the personality of the student and to improve his knowledge. These competitions engage participating students into a challenging and enriching experience, while developing a sense of team-spirit, collaboration and fair-competition, with much fun and enjoyment.

Over the years, the success at examination results have steadily increased at all levels. Indeed many national scholarships have been obtained by pupils at the RCC. RCC students have developed a strong sense of solidarity among themselves, and have expressed real devotion, affection and concern for their school. Following the educational reform in 2006 when the Labour Party came into power, form 1 students were allowed to the college.

An annual school magazine, which contains pictures, class photos, articles, funny facts and stories, is edited by the school's students. The editorial committee designs, find sponsors, collect articles, take photos, organise sales, co-ordinates activities and organise meetings. This task has often proved challenging, but the team have determination to produce a worthy magazine for the RCC, illustrating the creativeness and originality of the students. The school magazine for 2008 is still in production.

The main goal of instructors at the RCC is not only to input bookish knowledge for exams, but to also shape the future of each scholar who passes through the corridors of the school. respectable, honourable, exceptional and successful citizens and to ensure that they can stand on their own feet without being dependent, and to also inculcate a sense of humanism and realism and to respect human values and norms, while developing their mental and physical abilities.