Education Act 2004-Sensitisation programme under way |05 February 2005

The Education Act was enacted in December after the approval of a bill in the National Assembly to repeal the Education Act of 1982. The date for the implementation of the new Act will be announced by the Minister for Education and Youth Danny Faure.

The ministry is currently spearheading a series of meetings in all primary and secondary schools on Mahe and Praslin to sensitise its staff on the principles and measures of the new Education Act and to clarify issues of concern.

Already the 10 secondary schools in the country have been covered and earlier this week Minister Faure, along with other officials from the ministry, met with the staff of Anse Royale primary school, marking the first in the series of meetings targeting primary schools. On Friday, the minister and his entourage met with staff of Mont Fleuri primary school.

Meetings will also be held in post-secondary institutions.

Speaking to the press on Thursday, Mr Christian Cafrine, the director of Education Services Bureau, said it was important to get the participation of both teachers and parents in the implementation of the Act as they were all involved in its preparation.

In addition to meetings being held in schools and those to be organised through the Parents-Educators Council (PEC) and to involve Parents-Teachers Associations (PTAs), the ministry is expected to launch a national sensitisation campaign through the media.

The Act, Mr Cafrine said, addresses issues pertaining to rights and responsibilities of students, teachers and parents, and provides a legal framework for the operations of all schools. Mr Cafrine said it also highlights clearly the offences that can be committed and makes provisions for tighter security around school premises.

These issues, Mr Cafrine said, will be clearly explained in the sensitisation programme.
"We want to ensure that all our education partners, parents, teachers, students and other agencies are fully aware of their role and responsibilities with regards to the Act," Mr Cafrine said.