SITE open-day focuses on role of youths in transforming education |06 October 2022
Minister Valentin
Minister for Education Justin Valentin yesterday made a plea to educators to join the ministry in transforming the education system, to fit the demands of the 21st century.
The minister in his Teachers’ Day message at the launch of the Seychelles Institute of Teacher Education (SITE) open day, called on teachers to evolve and imperatively take heed of all the forces challenging and shaping the profession, to adapt to the changing society and to continue to inspire the young ones.
Seizing the opportunity to address all the SITE learners and those from numerous school institutions present for the ceremony and exhibition, Minister Valentin encouraged them to take up teaching as a career path, and to pool together to establish and implement classrooms that are relevant in the modern day.
“Classrooms are not changing. Classrooms are too traditional, and classrooms should evolve more. This is what we are asking of our teachers today. As a minister who is functioning in the 21st century, I want to work with you to transform our classrooms.”
“Our teachers are sometimes discouraged, very discouraged. We need you to consider, as learners, what role you play in encouraging the teachers, to continuously keep them happy in teaching,” Minister Valentin stated.
Director of the institute, Luciana Lagrenade, echoed similar sentiments, as she noted that since becoming SITE in 2014, the institute has contributed around 378 graduate teachers who are now in-service.
In line with this year’s motto, ‘Inspiring Success’, the institution intends to extend its programme portfolio through the introduction to new programmes, as it adapts to the rapidly evolving education sector. The blended learning modality across all programmes, although initially brought on by the Covid pandemic, is proving to be effective and advantageous, she noted.
SITE’s open-day event yesterday aimed to not only serve as a way to attract the younger generations to the profession, but also as a recruitment fair for those interested in a position within the ministry.
Deputy director of SITE, Mavis Lespoir, noted that the ministry is this year collaborating with the institution in the recruitment exercise.
“Over the past years, we have been somewhat disappointed, especially in relation to Diploma programmes, as we do not have many students.”
“Teaching is not easy. It is difficult, but it is a noble career. At the end of the day the reward is much more than monetary. Over time, there is more scope in education, it opens doors everywhere,” Mrs Lespoir stated.
Programmes geared towards curriculum development and implementation, assessments and Inclusive-education are among SITE’s priorities, as it joins the ministry in transforming the education system.
The ceremony comprised song performances by SITE learners and educators, as well as poem recitals.
Learners had the opportunity to, through the exhibition, learn more about the profession from both SITE learners and staff, through interactive games and exercises for the smaller learners, and interactions for the eldest.
The ministry has, in its efforts to revitalise education, launched four key working groups, notably, the Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) working group, the Financial and Entrepreneurial working group, the Inclusive-Education working group, and the Visual Performing and Media Arts working group to spearhead major changes in curriculum and school programmes.
Over the course of the coming weeks, it will also launch the Language, Society and Culture working groups, and the Sport and Recreational Activities working group. The working groups will be the platform for curriculum development and implementation.
The accompanying photos show some highlights of the open day.
Laura Pillay
Photos by Louis Toussaint
