Adult learning and Distance Education |10 September 2013

Pointe Larue centre wins Minister’s Cup

 

Pointe Larue has clinched the Minister’s Cup as the best overall centre imparting literacy classes in the country.

The prize was given at a literacy certificates presentation ceremony to mark International Literacy Day which fell on September 8.

The ceremony, organised by the Adult Learning and Distance Education Centre (Aldec), took place yesterday at the University of Seychelles’ auditorium Mont Fleuri as September 8, 2013 fell on Sunday.

The delegates from the different centres received their certificate in the presence of Vice-President Danny Faure, members of the National Assembly, education principal secretary Merida Delcy, Aldec director Marie-Claire Henriette, Odile De Commarmond, who is a member of the Seychelles Commission for the United Nations’ Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco), their instructors and other distinguished guests.

The delegates underwent examination in Creole, French, English and mathematics.

The best performer from each subject was rewarded. The best centres are Port Glaud (for English), Takamaka (for French), St Louis (for mathematics) and Bel Ombre (for Creole).
And the biggest prize – the Minister’s Cup for best overall centre – went to the Pointe Larue centre.

The St Louis centre received a special prize for students’ motivation, for having the biggest group of students and being able to keep them going.
This year the theme for the International Literacy Day is ‘Literacy for the 21st Century’ and Mrs Decommarmond read the letter for the occasion from Unesco director general Irina Bokova.

She quoted Mrs Bokova as saying “literacy is much more than an educational priority – it is the ultimate investment in the future and the first step towards all the new forms of literacy required in the 21st century. We wish to see a century where every child is able to read and to use this skill to gain autonomy”.

Addressing those present PS Delcy said: “Here in Seychelles we can be proud that we are ahead our target in education for all. According to the last statistics in 2012, our level of literacy in children above the age of 12 has reached 94%. This is a good thing for a small country like Seychelles.
“But is it enough to say that we can write and read?,” she asked.

“It is in the spirit of Unesco’s theme ‘Literacy for the 21st century’ that I appeal to you who are receiving your certificate today to use the skills, the competency that you have gained as a tool for you to move forward and to gain autonomy.  Then you can stand with your heads held high and say that you are independent,” she said as she congratulated the students.