31 teachers graduate from SITE |29 July 2017

• Hazel Volcy wins President’s Cup

Thirty-one new teachers yesterday graduated from the Seychelles Institute for Teacher Education (SITE) after following a three-year programme in their various fields.

Fourteen graduated from Diploma in Education for Primary; 7 from Diploma in Education Early Childhood; 6 from Diploma in Education Secondary – The Arts and 4 from Diploma in Education Secondary – Technology and Enterprise.

Hazel Volcy, who followed the Diploma in Education Primary, won the President’s Cup while Ivan Vidot of the same course won Best Male Award. The award was set up in 2009 as a means of encouraging young men to join the teaching profession.

The event was attended by Designated Minister Macsuzy Mondon who was representing President Danny Faure. Also present were high officials of the Ministry of Education, SITE itself, staff of SITE, parents and family members of the graduates.

There were other awards in other categories. Beverly Banane, who followed the early childhood course, won the Seychelles National Youth Council (SNYC) Most Improved Student award. The Best Academic Performer awards went to Elsie Bristol -- Diploma in Education Primary (P3-P6); Jenny Zialor -- Diploma in Education Early Childhood (Creche – P2); Alexander Rene -- Diploma in Education Secondary – the Arts; Samia Asba -- Diploma in Education Secondary – Technology & Enterprise.

Other prizes were in the Best Educational Practice and the awardees were Valerie Savy -- Diploma in Education Primary (P3-P6); Noria Marie-Jeanne -- Diploma in Education Early Childhood (Creche – P2); Kamal Etienne -- Diploma in Education Secondary – the Arts and Hilary Bastienne -- Diploma in Education Secondary – Technology & Enterprise.

During the event there were tokens of appreciations to various people who have contributed towards SITE and to the graduates themselves.

“My time at SITE was not an easy one. Sometimes I felt discouraged with lots of assignments one after the other. But with the help of lecturers, my parent and friends, I persevered. I feel very happy as I was not expecting it. Though I knew it would be tough competition between students,” said Hazel after receiving her prize.

Ivan Vidot, who won best male student award, was also very ecstatic about his prize.

“I am among two male students who come from Praslin. As a male, my time at SITE was not that easy. Because when one comes from Praslin there is another challenge to your learning – adaptation. I also proved that boys have a place in education, in teaching. If you believe in your destiny and knows what you want to achieve, there is a chance for everyone,” said Ivan.

On behalf of SITE, Rosianna Jules, director and science lecturer, commended the graduates for their decision to become teachers for Seychelles and trust they will be an inspiration for other youths.

“Today as you pledge your commitment as teachers of Seychelles, it is expected that you display the highest level of professional standards, be excellent in all your endeavours and do justice to the institution and to the qualification you are about to receive,” she told the graduates.

She then urged them to reflect on each word of the Teacher’s Pledge they have abided to.

Mrs Jules also made reference to the new report on teacher education and development recently handed over by the task force set up in March by Minister Morgan to find out best ways to revamp the mandate of SITE and through SITE the teaching profession.

She said the report has come out with bold evidence-based recommendations that need to be addressed to revive the profession.

“Teaching, as we all know, is an increasingly demanding profession, filled with uncertainties, complexities and challenges. For passionate teachers, teaching is a very rewarding profession even if at times it can have emotional impact on their lives,” she said.

Mrs Jules went through some success stories of SITE like on the number of Seychellois teachers it has trained and the institution’s relationship with the Commonwealth Virtual Learning and the Mauritius Institute of Teacher Education.

Song performances by the SITE choir also highlighted the event.