Teacher’s Week 2020 |09 October 2020

The forum in full swing (Photos: Louis Toussaint)

Trainee and aspiring teachers discuss profession’s challenges

Trainee teachers, along with younger students aspiring to join the profession yesterday had the chance to share opinions on the various challenges and benefits of the job during a forum held as part of activities to celebrate Teachers’ Week.

The event, held under the theme ‘Lansennyman, eski i pour mwan’ which gathered students of the Seychelles Institute of Teacher Education (Site), alongside some secondary school students who are considering a career in education, took place at the institute’s auditorium at Mont Fleuri.

There were also contributions from qualified and experienced teachers who shared their knowhow with the youngsters, explaining to them that as teachers, they should make a difference in the lives of as many students as they can, while it will also allow them to impart life lessons that they will never forget, thus putting them, as teachers, in a position to influence their decisions, behaviours, strengths, weaknesses and imagination.

The trainees and aspiring teachers also received advice on characteristics and skills they should learn and have to become good teachers.

The skill set includes communication, patience, creativity, enthusiasm, confidence, dedication, conflict resolution, as well as organisation.

The event was part of the ongoing activities to celebrate this year’s Teacher’s Week (October 4-9) which is being carried out on smaller scale on account of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Among other issues raised were interests of the youth in teaching, impact of disciplinary issues affecting the profession, positive and negative impact of having expatriate teachers, as well as salaries and other benefits.

The Site was established in January 2014 in accordance with the provision of the Tertiary Education Act, 2011 as a state non-university tertiary education institution.

Its vision is dynamic, knowledgeable and values-based institution of excellence in teacher education, educational leadership, continuing professional development and research, while its mission is to inspire, educate and prepare teachers, education leaders and related professionals who are dedicated to improving students’ achievements and education quality.

Through excellence in teacher education, educational leadership, research and continuing professional development, the Site is committed to advancing exemplary practices and 21st century competencies, and promoting the culture of lifelong learning.

Roland Duval