Long-serving teachers recognised and rewarded |06 October 2020

Longest-serving teacher Daniella Joubert with Designated Minister Mondon (Photo: Louis Toussaint)

Men and women who have dedicated years of effort and hard work to a career in education were yesterday afternoon recognised and awarded, in a brief ceremony held at ICCS.

The ceremony, organised as part of the activities to mark the 30th Anniversary of Teachers’ Day celebration in Seychelles, coincides with World Teachers’ Day, and was celebrated under the theme ‘Education – A Shared Responsibility’, the theme set by the Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development (MEHRD) for the year.

In total, 25 were rewarded for 25 years of service, while a further 21 who will be retiring at the end of the year were also recognised.

Teachers rewarded for 25 years of service are Jeanne D’Arc Abel, Rita Luc, Robert Milius, Sheila Cetoupe, Lely Antat, Lina François, Sandra Max, Damienne Thomas, Jourdanne Lepathie, Patrick Jupiter, Lilia Nibourette, Tony Fanchette, Wilette Dufrene, Dolivette Gonthier, Raymond Jumaye, Rodney Choisy, Maryse D’Offay, Jacqueline Bastienne, Patrick Camille, Patrick Malbrook, Ralph Pool, Milona Fideria, Denis Antoine, Julien Brioche and Philip Monthy.

The 17 who are to be retiring are as follows: Claudette Loizeau, Fernand Bonne, Militna Jeanne, Latina Balthilde, Christelle Bibi, Lauretta Derjacques, Johnette Cadeau, Gemma Moka, Lucianna Adrienne, Maryline Denousse, Beryl Tirant, Sheila Gabriel, Kathleena Fred, Claire Legras, Jeannette Jean, Catherine Cadeau, Jeris Cesar.

Among those who will be retiring are also four head teachers: Milena Richard, Sylvette Raguain, Vivienne Preira and Daniella Antat.

As is customary, the longest-serving teacher was presented with a cash prize sponsored by the President of the Republic and a trophy from the Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development. Daniella Joubert of Pointe Larue school was named as the award recipient.

Mrs Joubert started her journey towards becoming a teacher at the tender age of 15 as a supply teacher at the Anse Boileau school in July 1975. Over the years, she has successfully completed numerous training programmes, specialising in French.

Over her 45-year career, Mrs Joubert has served in Anse Boileau, Anse Aux Pins and Pointe Larue secondary school where she has occupied different responsibilities, including as head of year, head of department and deputy head teacher.

“I went into teaching with the intention of leaving at the end of the year but I didn’t and I was not sure for what reason, but God has his way. Teaching is something that I grew to love. It is like being in a family. I thank God who has kept me all this time and all my colleagues who have helped me. There’s a lot of ups and downs but you need to be able to work as a team, with management, other teachers and you must have a forgiving heart towards children,” Mrs Joubert stated.

Mrs Joubert hopes to serve for another two years before retiring.

The ministry also recognised Louisette Morel for her invaluable contribution to the Teachers’ Day Committee since it was first launched in 1990. Mrs Morel received a token of appreciation for her contribution over the last three decades.

Designated Minister Macsuzy Mondon thanked all educators and teachers for their hard work and dedication despite the numerous challenges that they are faced with.

She touched on the Covid-19 pandemic which has constrained education systems worldwide, as well as outlining the progress and milestones in government policy and education over the past three decades.

With regards to the challenge of attracting young people to the profession, Minister Mondon noted a novel strategy to garner interest and a passion for teaching among young people.

“Thirty years down the road like many other countries around the world, we are still faced with the challenge of attracting young people to join the teaching profession. The Ministry of Education is presently nurturing a home-grown strategy ‘The Aspiring Teacher Programme’ which aims to attract potential and promising secondary students to eventually choose teaching as a career. I am pleased to note that Aspiring Teacher Clubs in all secondary schools will be officially launched on Wednesday October 7 as one of the activities to mark Teachers’ Day 2020. We are hopeful that in the next few years we will witness a marked increase in the number of students joining the Seychelles Institute of Teacher Education,” Mrs Mondon stated.

In solidarity with all those who have been affected by the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development as a whole, has deemed it important to contribute towards the Disaster Relief Fund. Chairperson of the National Disaster Relief Fund, Lekha Nair, accepted the donation on behalf of the fund.

Laura Pillay