Ministry of Education concludes regional consultative meetings |13 December 2017

“We have received a lot of suggestions, positive contributions, good ideas and criticisms as well, which have helped us to look at problems from different angles.”

The Minister for Education and Human Resource Development Joel Morgan made this declaration to the press last week after the ministry conducted its seventh and last consultative meeting with parents, teachers, members of parliament and other concerned citizens under the banner ‘Education in Seychelles - Way Forward’.

The last session of its kind was held at the Savoy Resort & Spa conference room for schools in the northern region, that is Beau Vallon primary and secondary, Glacis primary and Bel Ombre primary.

In attendance were Minister Morgan; the director general for schools division, Odile Octave; director for primary education, Cyril Pillay; director for secondary education, Veronique Figaro; consultant with the ministry, Selby Dora; head teachers of the respective schools and other officials of the Ministry of Education.

The first regional meeting was held on November 17 for schools in the southern region with the aim of creating a platform for parents, the community and the ministerial heads to discuss the various challenges which currently exist in our public schools.

It was a direct reaction -- from the ministry’s side -- to counter the rising public outcry for more security and less misbehaviour in schools.

Teachers took to the streets in two separate occasions during November, demanding the ministry to take up actions and create policies that will encourage a wholesome, conducive environment in schools.

Some of the policies brought forward by the ministry include a social contract, amendment of the Education Act, reinforcement of the code of conduct and mandatory drug screening for students from Secondary 1 onwards.

Parents who were present at the climatic meeting were interested to learn how the social contract will work, and Mr Dora emphasised that the contract will not necessitate any signature but rather will be a legal regulatory policy.

The social contract will force parents and students to take responsibility for their actions and be held accountable for any unacceptable behaviour. Parents and students who fail to abide by the contract will be liable to a fine of up to R50,000.

When asked about the ministry’s next step, Minister Morgan said: “The discussions have provided ideas and suggestions that will help us map out our medium and long-term strategic directions for the next 3 to 5 years.”

“This is to make sure deficiencies such as the lack of follow-up, reduced quality of education, systems that are not functioning as they should and so forth are dealt with appropriately,” he continued.

The Ministry of Education is working in collaboration with the Ministry of Family Affairs to come up with a solid alternative programme to cater for students with disciplinary problems. More information on the disciplinary centre is expected to be announced before the year ends.