Transforming Au Cap primary and Plaisance secondary into inclusive education institutions |17 October 2023
Head teacher KIlindo addressing the audience
The Inclusive Education Working Group has successfully negotiated with GL Education in UK to conduct an assessment trial at two schools, namely Au Cap primary and Plaisance secondary.
This is part of the pilot action plan to transform the two schools into a more inclusive education institution.
The project was launched in a short ceremony at Plaisance secondary yesterday, in the company of the GL Education consultant, Samina Al Balooshi, who is in Seychelles for a one-week mission from October 16 to 20.
She will be trialling mainly the PASS (Pupil Attitudes to Self and School) assessment and the Cognitive Abilities Test: Fourth Edition (CAT4), which are very important in providing teachers with an accurate measure of students’ abilities and attainment, and identifying any barriers to learning they may have.
In her opening address, Ms Al Balooshi explained the benefits that the schools will gain by using the CAT4 and Pass survey.
Not only will it be able to measure students’ attitudes to learning but it will also be able to uncover their likely academic potential and provide early identification of additional learning.
Furthermore, together the CAT4 and PASS will help the schools understand if their students are confident, ready and motivated to learn, as well as enabling personalised teaching to help them achieve their true academic potential.
“This initiative forms part of a wider project across the Seychelles, to gain a holistic picture of Seychelles so schools can support them in the best ways possible,” she said.
In his short address, director general of Allied Education Services, Cyril Pillay, explained that subsequent to the symposium on Inclusive Education held on October 2, 2023, the Inclusive Education Working Group, which was also present at the ceremony, studied closely the recommendations made by participants, one of which was to identify the barriers to learning and thereafter plan systematic intervention to support learners in surmounting their difficulties and experience meaningful learning.
He carried on by stating that there has been extensive sensitisation of the school community, procurement of special education needs resources, training of SENCOs and Teachers on adaptive learning among many others.
“The Ministry of Education strongly subscribes to the view that every learner matters and matters equally,” he stated. He noted that the training is another milestone in supporting all of the learners to succeed in their studies.
For her part, the head teacher of Plaisance secondary school, Jenny Kilindo, stated they were happy and privileged to kick off the pilot project.
“We are looking forward,” she stated. She discussed the fact that she had conversations with students and teachers who will be participating in these trials and noted they were very excited to get started. “We know that it is new territory.”
However, she proclaimed that it is much needed territory that needs to be treaded to see how the students learn and how best they can be helped.
After the ceremony, the teachers and participants, along with members of the Inclusive Working Group, had the chance to take part in the PASS and CAT4.
The trials at the schools will take place today and Thursday at Plaisance secondary and Au Cap primary respectively.
