Minister meets new school heads |23 January 2018

Education and Human Resource Development Minister Joel Morgan and other high officials from his ministry conducted a series of visits to various schools yesterday.

With yesterday being the start of term for most schools, it was the opportune moment for the minister to visit schools that have gained new head teachers.

These are Beau Vallon secondary (Phillip Morel), La Retraite primary (Nadia Marcel), Anse Etoile primary (Jacqueline Celestine), English River secondary (Steve Hoarau), Ile Perseverance secondary (Cecile Marcel), Bel Eau primary (Jane Laurette), Mont Fleuri secondary (Marc Arrisol) and Plaisance primary (Thérèse Athanase).

The principal secretary for Early Childhood, Primary and Secondary Education, Odile De Comarmond, stated that their visits to these newly appointed head teachers were with the aim of seeing how they have been settling in.

“The only new head teachers we have not been able to call in on are the ones for Anse Royale primary and secondary. We will be visiting these two schools on Wednesday (tomorrow),” PS De Comarmond clarified.

This is due to the fact that Anse Royale secondary’s start of term has been delayed until tomorrow because of renovation works going on. Anse Boileau, Pointe Larue and Belonie secondary along with Au Cap primary are the other institutions beginning the term tomorrow because of renovation or demolition.

“As recommended by the Public Health reports, we had to renovate many of the toilets at these schools. However some of the contractors were constrained by several factors such as the time span, the period of festivities and the heavy rain,” PS De Cormarmond continued.

During yesterday’s calls the minister was able to interact not only with the head teachers but also their managerial teams in order to identify their constraints and objectives for 2018.

Steve Hoarau, the new head of English River secondary, spoke with the Seychelles NATION following his meet-up with Minister Morgan.

According to Mr Hoarau, the minister reaffirmed his stance on quality education and improvement in infrastructure.

“He also reminded us that the legislative and the executive branch of the government has entrusted his ministry with the largest sum for this year’s budget hence we have to create structures that enable accountability and good governance in schools, especially since state schools are becoming autonomous,” Mr Hoarau stated.

With 17 years of teaching experience under his belt, including 6 years as head teacher, Mr Hoarau hopes to address the behavioural problems of students at English River through not only the firm implementation of educational policies but also through an understanding of these students and their backgrounds.

Meanwhile at Mont Fleuri secondary, the recently appointed head teacher, Marc Arrisol, said that his school will progress once teaching and learning are maximised, the school is able to work in collaboration with parents and discipline is enforced on the premises.

“We are currently engaged in revamping the reputation of the school through our ‘Mont Fleuri is our school and we love our school’ campaign,” Mr Arrisol said.

 Our selection of photos show Minister Morgan and his team during their visit to the various schools yesterday.