Grand Anse Praslin primary school gets facelift |24 September 2020
Pupils and teachers of Grand Anse primary school now enjoy a more conducive teaching and learning environment after major renovation works were completed on the P3 and P4 block of the school.
The renovation work was executed under the High Impact Community Development Projects (Phase 1), funded under the Republic of India’s grant assistance.
It was the high commissioner of India, General Dalbir Singh Suhag, who officially handed over the completed phase 1 of the project in a small ceremony at the school recently. This was conducted in the presence of the principal secretary for Early Childhood, Primary and Secondary Education, Dr Odile de Commarmond, Grand Anse Praslin district administrator Moses Barbe, head teacher of Grand Anse primary school Lina Lesperance, members of the school council, members of the Parent-Teachers Association, staff and pupils.
Renovation works included aluminum window replacement, timber door replacement, painting of external and internal walls, painting of railings, plumbing works and floor screeding.
The R1.8 million project was conducted by Seychelles based ‘Ascent Projects’ company and completed in February this year.
In his address to the attendants, General Suhag expressed the Republic of India’s commitment in cooperating with Seychelles for capacity building and development projects, while highlighting the benefits of such projects. In this particular project it is mainly in providing more employment and business opportunities for the locals as well as a better school environment for the pupils and staff. This is the completion of phase 1 of the project and phase 2 is at the selection and approval stage, so additional work will start soon.
He also shared the importance of education and a having a joyful teaching and learning environment.
General Suhag particularly commended the school band, a collection of very talented pupils who animated the ceremony under the guidance of Sir Roland Andre.
“I am very happy to have seen your excellent performance, done with so much confidence and elegance, especially at such a young age. I hope that in time you will excel even more within the band and in your studies as well.”
General Suhag unveiled the commemorative plaque accompanied by PS de Commarmond and head teacher Lesperance. This was followed by the presentation of 600 cotton, reusable face masks which is to be distributed to the pupils and staff as part of the fight against the coronavirus pandemic. A gesture which was very well appreciated, and in return General Suhag also received a token of appreciation from the school.
On behalf of the school community, Mrs Lesperance thanked General Suhag for the good cooperation and renovation work as well as the Ministry of Education for its support throughout the project.
“On this very momentous occasion, we thank you for giving our school a new facelift which shall render teaching and learning more agreeable. We are confident to make good use of the new facilities.”
On her part, PS de Commarmond also thanked the Indian high commission and the Republic of India for their great assistance in completing phase 1 of the project.
“This project was one of high necessity to the Ministry of Education but unfortunately due to unavailability of funds, we were unable complete it. So we are very grateful for the assistance offered by the Republic of India to finalise the project.”
PS de Commarmond shared that such projects, similar to those carried out in Mont Fleuri secondary school, Plaisance primary school, English River secondary School and Anse Boileau secondary school is the best way to help the community by touching the lives of many people.
The ceremony ended with a tour of the renovated block where General Suhag could interact with pupils and staff.
To note that this is the 13th project to be handed over in a series of 33 (under a R35 million grant), among which two were road projects on Praslin itself.
The accompanying photos show some highlights of the ceremony to hand over the completed project.
Text: Nadia Bedier
Photos: Romano Laurence
