Launch of the International School Library week |18 October 2022

• Books donated to all primary and secondary schools

International School Library Month (ISLM) is an opportunity for those in charge of school libraries around the world to choose a day, week, or the entire month in October to celebrate the importance of school libraries and to celebrate everything great about them.

Seychelles chose yesterday, October 17, to launch the International School Library Week and, on that occasion, a new logo and banner for the library services were unveiled by the Minister for Education, Dr Justin Valentin and the director general for Institutional Support Services, Bernard Arnephy, at the Documentation Centre at Mont Fleuri.

This year’s theme is ‘Reading for global peace and harmony’ and the principal secretary for Educational Services, Merna Eulentin, noted that this a yearly event where we advocate the importance of school libraries, libraries and students.

“Today we commemorate the existence of school libraries in Seychelles and this year the Ministry of Education has chosen the week October 17-21 to celebrate this event. This year’s theme encourages us on how reading can bring peace and harmony and outlines the importance of supporting one another. School libraries provide information and ideas that are fundamental in the functioning of today’s knowledge-based society. School libraries exist around the world as a learning environment that provide space for both physical and digital resources and activities to encourage and support students and teachers.”

For her part, the director general for Network and Engagement, Jutta Alexis, said: “What we are seeing today is a show of trust in the minister’s vision which is to make schools stronger and give the best to the students. We congratulate all the librarians in the schools for their hard work and as a ministry we are working together on the challenges. We are also happy to share that currently 14 students/librarians are following courses at SITE and they will all go for a short course overseas to reinforce their learning. We seize the opportunity to thank SITE and the National Library for their continuous support.”

During the ceremony, a group of students from Au Cap primary – Heeroj Joseph, Nuveena Singapuling and Oreilli Julius – accompanied by Sir Elvis sang a song related to the theme reading for global peace and harmony.

This was followed by a story from two students from Takamaka primary school – Juhan Onezime and Chrissy David.

One of the librarians Geraine Anta also recited a poem.

All schools – primary and secondary – are receiving some books which were acquired by the Ministry of Education.

The accompanying photos show some highlights of the launch ceremony yesterday.

Vidya Gappy

Photos: Louis Toussaint