SITE director urges students to turn challenges into opportunities |19 February 2014

The director of the newly established Seychelles Institute of Teacher Education (SITE), Rosianna Jules, has congratulated the new batch of students joining the institute on making “the right career choice”.

She also had words of praise for the existing student teachers who are still on their journey to becoming “effective and reflective practitioners for the national education system”.

Welcoming the new batch of students yesterday in a special assembly, Mrs Jules said:

“Dear students, we commend you for answering the call to dedicate yourselves to this noble profession, teaching, which, as Lee Shulman would say, is far more complex than medicine. Indeed, you made the right choice because as the Minister for Education, Macsuzy Mondon, pointed out in 2012 during the Teachers’ Week and [earlier that morning] and I quote ‘We need teachers to teach our children’, unquote. We hope that your courageous decision will inspire many others to join the Seychelles Institute of Teacher Education.”

Mrs Jules also advised the students that the road ahead might not always be clear and easy, but if they set their priorities straight and pay particular attention to their studies, they will succeed.

“But remember, as the late Nelson Mandela remarked and I quote: ‘The greatest glory of living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall’, unquote. So, when you feel at the end of your tether, remember that the lecturers are always there to help you, so seek and heed their advice. I appeal to you dear students to lead by examples and to do your very best in all that you do.

 Be punctual, be courteous, adhere to rules and regulations, make proper use of the facilities and resources, keep the place clean and tidy, participate actively in all activities and show respect for yourself and for others within and outside the institution,” she told them.

The director of the institute thanked the Minister for Education for entrusting the institution in her and promised to do her utmost to meet her expectations with the support of her staff members and students.

She also acknowledged those who have in one way or another inspired, guided and nurtured her professional growth and wish with the support of staff members she can also do as much to guide others to success.

“Dear members of staff, I know that I can count on you on our quest for quality teachers and quality education at all levels of our educational system. So, together as a united team, let us bring teacher education to greater heights,” concluded Mrs Jules.

The ceremony was animated by songs by both current teacher students and staff members of the institute.