SCAA hands over revamped library to Takamaka primary |05 June 2017

Students of the Takamaka primary school can now enjoy reading and discovering the world through a large selection of books in more comfortable surroundings after their library received a new facelift.

The library underwent thorough renovations over the past couple of months and it received a fresh coat of paint, new furniture, white board, books, computer among other materials, all sponsored by the Seychelles Civil Aviation Authority (SCAA).

The refurbished library was handed over by SCAA chief executive Gilbert Faure to the director for primary schools Cyril Pillay in the presence of SCAA general manager for operations Wilfred Fock-Tave, head teacher Magda Rose, SCAA staff, members of the school council, parents, teachers and students.

As the school had decided to celebrate Children’s Day on Friday instead of Thursday June 1, the authority found it fitting to hand over the library as a gift to the students.

Mr Faure said reading is very important because one can learn what is happening in the outside world.

“There are so many opportunities that are being afforded to you so you must take the chance to improve with them. SCAA is a partner of the children and Seychelles as a whole through its corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme,” he said.

Mr Pillay said the library is one of the most important rooms of the school.

“It is where you come to discover the world and start planning what to do with your life. Takamaka is one of the highest performing primary schools and this new library will help make it even better,” he said.

He also thanked the SCAA on behalf of the principal secretary (PS) for education Dr Odile Decomarmond.

The school council’s chairperson, Dr Bernard Valentin, has been behind the project since its conception in 2014 and said they had received a donation from Banyan Tree and activities were held at the school to raise funds, but it was still not enough.

“The parent of a student, Mona Suzette, became the voice of the school to appeal to SCAA for them to make the library a place where the children want to be,” he said.

He noted that the connection between the library and the airport is that you can discover the world through both.

“I hope the students and teachers will make great use of the library and that it might even stay open during the weekend for parents to come to lend books with their children instead of going to town to get books,” he said.

Some of the students described the library as “beautiful, wonderful, perfect and special.”

To mark the occasion, Mr Faure, Mr Pillay, Mrs Rose and Mr Valentin signed the vote of thanks read by a P3 student for the SCAA to keep as a souvenir.

A student also presented a basket of flowers and a thank you card to Mr Faure as well as a token of appreciation to a member of all four units from the SCAA ‒ IT, finance, operations and maintenance‒- who helped out with the renovation works.