Teachers’ Week   Retiring and long-serving teachers are recognised |06 October 2023

Mrs Ladouceur receiving her certificate and shield from President Ramkalawan and a coco de mer from Minister Valentin

As it is customary every year during Teachers’ week, different cadres of teachers are awarded for their service.  This year was no exception, as teachers converged at the International Conference Centre yesterday afternoon to be recognised.

The auspicious event was graced by the presence of President Wavel Ramkalawan; the First Lady, Linda Ramkalawan; education minister, Dr Justin Valentin; other ministers and high officials.

When addressing the guests, Minister Valentin stated that the ceremony was a prestigious one where they recognise the teachers’ dedication and reward them for their long service. 

It is also a time when, sadly but proudly, they say goodbye to retiring teachers. 

Minister Valentin thanked the teachers for their hard work throughout the years and encouraged them to keep motivating the new teachers. 

He emphasised that teachers should be placed at the forefront of education transformation, and urged leaders to give teachers the opportunity to innovate their daily teaching, stressing on this year’s theme, ‘The transformation of education begins with teachers’.

Yesterday’s cohort included a group of 17 teachers with 25 years of continuous service.  PS Merna Eulentin had the honour to present the certificates to the group of proud teachers, who came from both primary and secondary schools.

Two head teachers who have also served for 25 continuous years, namely Barbra Medor from Cascade and Agnelle Monthy from Baie Lazare, were also recognised and awarded during the ceremony.  They were both commended on their advancement towards diverse leadership roles within the school management.

As a first, six teachers from private schools were also rewarded for their 25 years of continuous service; namely four from Independent School, and two from International School Seychelles.  This represents an important milestone as the ministry enhances its relationship with private schools in the country.  They received their awards from Minister Valentin.

Six teachers who will be retiring at the end of the year were also recognised and congratulated for their long service and devotion, as well as two head teachers namely Beryl Botsoie and Mirena Medor, who have left an indelible mark in their respective schools as well as in the hearts and minds of those they have had the privilege to teach and work with.

Mrs Botsoie has served the Ministry of Education for 43 years and started her journey as a supply teacher at Plaisance school in 1980. She ended her tenure at La Rosière school where she has been the head teacher for the last 13 years since her transfer from Glacis school in 2010.

Similarly, Mrs Medor also has a career that spans over 40 years. She started at La Rosière school and worked in various schools before finally being posted at Pointe Larue school where she has served as head teacher since 2019 to date.

The highlight of the ceremony was of course the award for the longest serving retiring teacher.  This year, the honour was bestowed upon Mary-June Ladouceur from Bel Eau school.  Ms Ladouceur has dedicated 44 years of her life to the teaching profession.  Her journey began in 1976 where she started as a crèche helper.  She has spent many years teaching on Praslin before moving to Mahé, where she will end her career at Bel Eau school as an early childhood teacher.  She is described as being dedicated, hardworking and compassionate towards her learners.

Ms Ladouceur was inspired by her ten teachers at an early age and felt she could share her knowledge with her other colleagues.

She said she was able to overcome the different challenges over the years because of her love for children and the profession.

Ms Ladouceur is encouraging her colleagues to pursue their good work as well as appeal to young people to embark in this noble profession.

This was also echoed by the head of state who delivered a few words of encouragement and appealed to young people to join the teaching profession.

The ceremony ended with a cocktail.

Sheryl Kilindo

Photos by Louis Toussaint