International Affairs Committee members visit the Seychelles Tourism Academy |19 September 2022
Students express their concerns
Insufficient allowances, a lack of freshly prepared food at the tuck shop, long working hours when on work attachment and sexual harassments among other abuses are some of the concerns expressed by a group of Seychelles Tourism Academy students enrolled on certificate and advanced certificate studies and advanced diploma in Hospitality Management.
The concerns were raised during a meeting organised last Thursday at the academy by members of the International Affairs Committee (IAC) of the National Assembly with the students.
Led by its vice-chairperson, Wavel Woodcock, the committee was on a visit to the academy to be apprised of the Shannon College agreement, mutual benefits, challenges and constraints, post studies statistics and forecast, any other bilateral affairs and opportunities, and the situation of the academy through interactions with students and staff.
Other members of the committee present were Phillip Arissol and Kelly Samynadin. Also present in the meeting were principal secretary for tourism Sherin Francis and Dereck Barbé, chairperson of the STA board.
With regard to allowances, the students claimed that what they are receiving is not enough taking into account that apart from using it to buy personal items, they have to buy utensils, uniforms, shoes and food during school hours, while not forgetting that some students have a family and have to pay loans and buy other household items.
They also claimed that they are abused when placed on work attachments in tourism establishments as they have to do very long hours without being paid a cent, do not benefit from service charge and tips.
There were also complaints by some culinary students who said they work long hours, from early morning to late at night at the Seychelles Tourism Academy (STA) annex at the Seychelles Coast Guard.
Some students also complained of sexual harassment when on work attachments in hotel establishments.
Among other complaints were insufficient food items, especially freshly prepared ones, on sale at the only tuck shop available and the students requested for a second tuck shop to accommodate for the number of students at break time and lunch times.
The students, especially those on the Shannon College programme, wanted the assurance of job placements in line with the terms of agreement.
After a tour of the facilities which included the classrooms, offices and restaurant situated in the new block and the laundry, the mess hall, the kitchen, the wellness and spa practical and some other classrooms situated in the old blocks, Honourable Woodcock said the committee was very impressed with the level of education being offered by the highly qualified lecturers but not so with the infrastructure, especially the old blocks.
Hon. Woodcock stated that apart from the new blocks built through Badea (The Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa) funding, the rest of the old infrastructure, which are not conducive to learning in terms of hygiene and safety, need to be overhauled or demolished to make way for new infrastructure that will portray the academy, not only as a regional but international tourism learning institution.
He said the concerns of the students will be looked into, adding that the country needs to ensure that students are valued and there are job opportunities for all who complete their studies at the academy or at the Shanon College in Ireland.
Speaking to the media, STA principal Terence Max, who along with the management team did not take part in the meeting allowing the students to talk freely, said the academy is not aware of some of the complaints of abuse during work attachments as the students are not using the structures in place to lodge their complaints.
He advised the students to instead of keeping things to themselves or trying to sort them out on their own, to seek help from their parents or the school counsellor for action. This could even lead to police investigation.
With regard to working long shifts, including extra hours at hotel establishments, Mr Max said it should not be the case for the students unless they agree to do it or are paid to do it, eventhough working long shifts are a norm in the hotel business.
He further said that students should report such abuses and the academy will address those as it has a good working collaboration with the hotels.
Mr Max stated though that the long hours students have to do at the STA Annex at the Seychelles Coast Guard are part of the academy’s programme to instill in them, as early as possible, the discipline needed to work in a hotel, starting very early in the morning with the preparation of breakfast to finish with the preparation of dinner which goes on until late at night.
He said the programme is monitored and is working very well and a student who fails to embark on the programme at the Seychelles Coast Guard is not made for the hotel industry.
Concerning insufficient allowances, Mr Max said the academy cannot make a decision, but as part of their training students are encouraged to earn some extra cash by providing services at conferences and private parties during their spare time and weekends, but this without compromising their studies. This will also help them gain more experience.
Mr Max added that the academy is looking at the second phase of development to hoist its level internationally.
He noted that in the meantime, the academy’s restaurant will soon be offering its services to the public as it has been licensed to operate as a pubic restaurant.
A new tuck shop is being built to address the shortage of food sold, he noted.
STA board chairperson Dereck Barbé said the board will try to address the students’ concerns as quickly as possible.
He noted it was the first time as chairman of the board that he met with the students in a formal meeting as the board is new and was busy going over the academy’s strategic plan, aligning it with that of the tourism department.
Mr Barbé said the vision is to raise the level of the academy by transforming it into the desired international learning institution.
For PS Francis, she said the tourism department will continue to provide support to ensure that students receive the best conditions and learning environment.
On behalf of the students, Dhonelly Legaie said they were happy to have got the chance to interact with members of the committee, adding that she hoped their concerns will be looked into.
The International Affairs Committee is a select sessional committee that addresses any topic associated with the national foreign service of Seychelles, the conduct of tourism, international affairs and of international parliamentary affairs. Other members not present were Waven William (chairperson), Philip Monthy, Egbert Aglaé and Johan Lozé.
The accompanying photos show some highlights of the meeting with the students and visit of the academy’s facilities.
Text & photos by Patrick Joubert
