Education minister visits schools |16 March 2021

Perseverance primary

The schools have officially opened for in-person learning throughout the country, after a three-month hiatus where students were mostly learning from home.

To mark the opening of the school for this new academic year, the Minister for Education, Justin Valentin, conducted a courtesy visit at the Perseverance primary and secondary schools as well as the Independent School, a private institution.

The minister was accompanied by the principal secretary for primary and secondary education, Dr Odile Decommarmond as well as the director general for primary education, Cyril Pillay, along with several other representatives from the ministry.

During his visit the minister got a chance to interact with teachers, students and heads of the schools.

In an interview with the press, Minister Valentin expressed his satisfaction with the smooth reopening of the schools he visited.

“It is clear that the teachers are adequately prepared for today. Parents seem to have already adopted the new normal mindset and I am very satisfied,” the minister said.

He requested that respective personnel in all schools should observe, note and inform the Ministry of Education about the challenges they may face as the term advances so that they can be improved.

He stated that this pandemic situation has provided a platform for reflection and an opportunity for positive development in the strategies of Seychelles’ educational system.

When asked by a journalist about his reasons for choosing to visit the Independent School, which is a private school, Minister Valentin explained that he wants to build a new relationship between state and private schools, to create a positive and meaningful engagement, because “as the Minister for Education, I care about the studies of all the students in Seychelles”.

Following the visit the head teacher of Perseverance primary, Bernadette Maria, noted that for this week they are accommodating four creche year one classes, three P2 classes, three P4 and three P6 classes.

Ms Maria further explained that preparations to open up the school began last week where staff and teachers worked diligently to make sure that everything goes smoothly.

“We have twenty students per class, and we have made sure to put markings on the floor that indicates where their tables should remain at all times. We have also identified areas where they will play so that they don't form large groups,” said the head teacher.

She also noted that the timetable has also been changed. She said that P1 to P3 pupils will only have two periods in the morning before they break while P4 to P6 will be doing three in the morning.

“Even if we have made all these changes we know that it will not be easy. However teachers will keep a good eye out to make sure that students are abiding by the safety requirements.”

For her part the head teacher of Perseverance secondary, Marie-May Antepe, said they have welcomed only S1 students. Due to social restrictions, each class has been split up to accommodate 15 students.

She noted that this year Perseverance secondary will have approximately 740 students.

As for the head teacher of Independent primary, Jeanine Hoareau, she noted that they have welcomed P1, P2, P6 and Kindergarten year 2 pupils.

“The morning was a bit hectic but with the help of teachers we managed to do it. Transition of students from each class also went smoothly with the help of teachers,” she said.

Concerning health measures Ms Hoareau said that primary pupils are given the option to wear their mask in class and they were also advised to sanitise and wash their hands.

She noted that the school has equipped each class with their own sanitisers as well as additional masks and have been advised to maintain social distancing at all times.

The accompanying photos show Minister Valentin and his delegation interacting with teachers and pupils on their visit to the schools yesterday.

Christophe Zialor & Izza Amade