Seychelles is establishing a new Centre for Excellence in Technology to provide secondary students with a higher interest in technology enterprise than academic studies, as they have a better chance to succeed in a variety of fields, including engineering, transportation, food technology, agriculture, and fisheries.
The new school for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and technology studies is scheduled to commence in January 2024.
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TVET Structure
TVET will occupy the 2018-built Perseverance Secondary School on an artificial island adjacent to the main island of Mahe. The centre will accommodate secondary four and secondary five pupils from throughout Seychelles. Other pupils from secondary one to secondary three who are presently enrolled at the Perseverance Secondary School will be relocated to nearby secondary schools for the upcoming school year.
Jean Alcindor, the Director General for TVET and entrepreneurship at the Ministry of Education, stated that the school would alleviate the burden on public secondary institutions and enable more efficient resource management.
In a recent interview with Seychelles Broadcasting Corporation TV, Alcindor explained, “At the moment, we have the pathway of secondary general education and skills development, and it is these students who are doing the TVET content or technology enterprise and they have a big interest in practicals.”
Alcindor added that although the centre will primarily serve non-academic students, students with IGCSEs or the potential to earn IGCSEs who have a passion for technology are welcome to participate.
The purpose of implementing Technical and Vocational Education and Training in secondary schools in 2011 was to integrate the various aspects of education and training, including vocational and general education, skill development, and career orientation.
Seychelles Partnership With China-Africa TVET Alliance
A memorandum of understanding will be signed between the Ministry of Education and the China-Africa TVET Alliance to assure the success of this centre of excellence.
Alcindor explained that they will send “seven trainers, in May, June and July we will have a cohort who will travel to China, they will be going to Shandong, a province which specialises in TVET and technology. Upon their return, another cohort will depart in September, October, and November.”
China has expertise in pedagogy for technology and pedagogy in technical education, and they know how to integrate technology and academic studies with technical studies, according to Alcindor.
These trainers will initiate the new programme and aid in the development of the curriculum for the launch of the school programme in January 2024. Five years from now, Seychelles will benefit from the Africa China TVET Alliance.
Raymond Jumaye, who teaches construction and engineering at Mont. Fleuri Secondary School, has been selected to instruct at the new Centre of Excellence in Technology.
Jumaye explained, “I think it is a good move, as students will now have a better opportunity to develop themselves, develop their interests and passion further, and are better placed to get a placement at post-secondary institutions and for further studies and for a diploma certification, and later on a degree.”
Since 2003, Nadia Bouchereau has been a teacher of professional guidance. She believes that for a very long time, the system “has neglected our less academic students… those with a passion for the outdoors or other practical pursuits. With this new centre, we will provide these students with a golden opportunity, as they will no longer be forced to study mathematics or other academic subjects but will instead be able to pursue their passions or areas of expertise.”
A career guidance teacher also praised the initiative to send 14 teachers who will be teaching at the centre abroad for training, allowing them to return to the new centre with a new perspective and approach.