SNYA tables two motions in third sitting |31 July 2017
Two motions were tabled during the Seychelles National Youth Assembly’s (SNYA) third sitting on Saturday at the ex-National Assembly Hall at National House.
The first motion was on the state of three professional centres -- Seychelles Business Studies and Accounting (SBSA); the National Institute of Health and Social Studies (NIHSS) and the Seychelles Institute ofAgriculturalandHorticulture (SIAH). It was tabled by member Andria Auguste, the Clerk. But the debate focussed mainly on SBSA.
The second one was by Bianca Bonnelame, member for Takamaka. Her motion was a proposition to establish a specific helpline to assist youths with suicide inclinations.
Issues brought forward from the motion on the state of school, especially the SBSA, were about the youths’ frustration on the bad condition of their school which is an annexe to the University of Seychelles (UniSey).
They said it was not up to standard; they have been promised a new building for the school and until now nothing concrete has happened.
They believe the learning programme is not up to standard due to the unconducive school environment.
They wish SBSA would get its own establishment like the Seychelles Institute of Technology (SIT) or the Maritime Training Centre (MTC).
The youths also said it is not only those professional centres that are not in good condition but some primary and secondary schools as well.
They suggest the Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development put aside a budget every year for school renovations.
As for NIHSS, they describe it as a centre which has been going to and fro under different ministries.
They expressed the wish for the centre to remain under the Ministry of Health as it currently is. Another suggestion was that the concerned authority seeks assistance under CSR as private schools, which are paid institutions, are benefitting from such programme.
The motion was approved.
The author of the suicide motion, said from a research done in 2012, 17% of youths expressed the wish to commit suicide, and that more boys committed suicide.
More than half of the youths who wanted to commit suicide have been bullied. Therefore the youths suggested that government or concerned authority put in place a ‘Helpline’ managed by the Youth Centre, to assist, counsel, help youths contemplating suicide.
The ‘Helpline’ that existed has been transferred under the Ministry of Health so youths at risk could get psychological assistance.
They said the one was removed due to abuse and the lack of psychological assistance.
The youths suggested the line is also linked to the police and that youths are informed there are other options rather than committing suicide.
Some suggested before installing such a line, research work is done so it is very well implemented.
They said the country needs to move. It needs to do things now in relation to youths committing suicide, and that the negativity of suicide is talked about in the media.
As for the cause of suicide, the youths said it starts in the family where family is at the forefront of such an issue. They commended the work of social workers who are generally on the field to solve problems.
Many youths believe a helpline will not do much to curbing suicides as they believe the family structure is the main option.
The motion was not approved with 14 abstaining, 1 against.
SNYA is a non-political, educational programme which provide its members with the opportunity to develop their leadership, research and oratory skills. It provides youths with a forum of discussion on the important issues that affect not only young people, but the society at large.
SNYA members are from all districts of the country as well as secondary and post-secondary institutions; and their role is to act as ambassadors and spokespersons for youths in their respective districts or educational institutions.
SNYA was officially launched on July 30, 2003