Education Reforms bring changes

Changes announced in line with education reforms

A number of changes to be made this year as part of the new reforms in the education sector were announced Friday morning by the Minister for Education Macsuzy Mondon.
Minister Mondon addressing the school leaders during the meeting Friday

Minister Mondon, who was speaking during a meeting with education leaders held at the School of Education, said the reforms will include Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET), pastoral care, teacher appraisal, a tertiary education commission, and its Education Medium Term Strategy 2013-2017.

Speaking about the TVET system, Mrs Mondon said provisions have been made for all TVET classrooms to be renovated to ensure that the students are studying in a conducive environment.

“Phase 1 of the project has been completed and the programme will enter its third year of implementation in 2013.

Provision is being made to expand and extend TVET to more students.  For this to happen successfully we need the support of industries and the private sector to place students on attachment for them to gain work based experience,” she said.

The minister added that reforms in Pastoral Care will be taken to the next level in 2013.
“Schools that are slow in implementing the Pastoral Care Policy will need to shape up.  They have to ensure that all the necessary structures are in place by the end of the first quarter.

I am happy to note that we have observed some positive changes in the behaviour of our students in certain schools.

The Social Renaissance programme calls for a special effort from all of us educators to instill in our children and students strong values that will bring about a positive shift in their behaviour.

Social Renaissance starts from within each and every one of us,” she said.

The ministry also said they are finalising work on a new teacher appraisal policy, which will be implemented at all levels of the school system.

This is with the aim of improving the teaching-learning process and to raise the standard of achievement for all students.

Speaking about the tertiary education commission (Tec), the minister said it was established in mid 2012 and has started a series of sensitisation sessions for its board members and stakeholders.

She added that work has also started on the Tec 3-year strategic plan. Tec personnel were also engaged in a number of capacity building initiatives.

“For 2013 Tec’s major engagement will focus on completion of the 3-year strategic plan, staffing of the secretariat, sensitisation of stakeholders, and the development of the necessary policies and guidelines to facilitate implementation of its mandate,” she said.

“As for the Education Medium Term Strategy 2013-2017, the ministry will be developing its strategy and the project is receiving technical assistance from the International Institute of Education Planning (IIEP) and financial assistance from the European Union.”

New student grouping system

New student grouping system to be used in secondary schools this year

A new grouping system called the cross-level subject setting will be introduced in secondary schools this year to bring together students with similar academic abilities.

Over the years different secondary schools have been implementing various models of student grouping. And this year, the Ministry of Education will adopt the new grouping system, starting with students of secondary one.

This model groups students with similar academic abilities together and provides them with appropriate teaching and learning materials so that their learning effectiveness can be further enhanced.

This was announced by the Minister for Education Macsuzy Mondon during her annual meeting with education leaders ahead of the start of the school year.

The meeting was held at the School of Education (former National Institute of Education) on Friday morning.

Minister Mondon said that with the implementation of “cross-level subject setting”, appropriate curricula will be provided for students to suit their abilities.
“Their learning will become more effective. As a result, their interests and confidence in learning will be further enhanced.

By grouping students with similar abilities in the same class, teachers can focus their attention in teaching the appropriate curriculum without spending too much effort on curriculum adaptation to meet the learning needs of all students,” she said.

“Such an arrangement would expose students to all of the benefits of peer interaction and social development while allowing for the accelerated skills of some students to be honed in specific subjects.”

Minister Mondon also spoke about the changes in how assessment is done.

As part of the ongoing reform in the National Curriculum and Assessment Framework, the ministry this year will be introducing national assessments at the end of S5 for students deemed not able to sit the IGCSE/DELF, aimed at meeting the diverse needs of all learners in the system.
Mrs Mondon said this will result in these S5 students exiting with a certificate that will demonstrate their achievements at their particular level.

Students at S4 level who are eligible to sit IGCSE English as a second language and DELF scolaire niveau B1 examinations will now be given the opportunity do so.

“The selection of students for these examinations will be made at school level as per the ministry’s guidelines and procedures, of which details will be communicated in due course,” said Mrs Mondon.

EDUTech Competition is on!!

Posters should be out in the schools in the coming weeks...and application forms

Coming SOON!!

Following the last Committee meeting on 14th January 2013, the calendar of activities for the first quarter is finalised.

We are pleased to present you the update.

Date	Activity/Event	Comments
21st Jan	Promotion Campaign starts	media (Radio, TV, ads), posters
04th, 06th, 07th, and 08th Fed	Sensitisation in schools	45mins session in all primary and secondary schools on EDUTech@Seychelles competition; distribution of application forms
05th Feb	Safer Internet Day (10th Anniversary)	Forum for students with panels from different government organisations and NGOs; promotion of theme “Connect with Respect” at school level through games and lessons; stickers, bookmarks, posters, leaflets
15th Feb	Donors’ Forum and Reception	By Invitation
15th Feb	Deadline for submission of application forms for EDUTech@Seychelles competition	public and private schools, teachers and students - primary to post secondary level
18th Feb	Official launching of PiL Seychelles Forum 2013	By Invitation
25th Feb	Launch of Essay Writing and Public Speaking Competition	All entries to be in digital format for essay writing; all public speaking teams to include use of technology during presentation
01st Mar	Deadline for Teams to submit names of participants and topic for public speaking	Secondary and Post secondary students
01st Mar	Deadline for application for Essay Writing Competition	Secondary and Post secondary students
04th, 05th, 06th and 07th Mar	Refresher/Retraining and briefing sessions for trainers involved in holiday activities	All trainers and volunteer teachers
25th Mar	Preliminary Judging - Round 1 - of EDUTech@Seychelles projects	Participants will have one-to-one sessions with mentors/judges and guided with the projects
28th Mar	Registration of all primary and secondary schools on PiL network	all schools, including senior management and additional 10 teachers (min) to be registered on the network
08th Apr	Registration of students for holiday program	Holiday program to be run by volunteer teachers, to include activities for students to help improve skills in using technology for learning
17th Apr	Deadline to complete profile for Pathfinder Schools	All schools should have completed their registration on the PILN and profile
22nd Apr	Training for School Managers	Integrating CMPCS in teaching and learning; one week full time for all primary schools’ managers
22nd Apr	Holiday Program for students starts	All registered students
01st May	Public Holiday - Launch of DigiGirlz and DigiGirlz Camp	Includes a 3 day camp for girls on technology in the workplace and jobs that require ICT skils; guest speakers and visits
06th May	Training for in-service teachers	Integrating ICT in teaching and learning - PILN tools and on-line resources; one week full time
10th May	Presentation of certificates to trained managers and teachers	By Invitation
13th May	Public Speaking Competition	All registered teams
13th May	Deadline to submit Essays for Essay Writing Competition	All registered competitors

EDUTech@Seychelles 2013

UPCOMING EVENTS - February 2013

The EDUTech Committee has been busy the past few weeks working on the calendar of activities for 2013.

We propose a peak at what's to come in February...  It looks like it's going to be a very busy start for everyone!!

1 Feb        Donors Forum

4 - 8 Feb   Sensitisation of teachers and students on EDUTech@Seychelles competition

5 Feb        Safer Internet Day Activities at school and HQ level

11 Feb      Official Launch of 2013 PiL Seychelles Forum 

25 Feb      Launch of Essay Writing and Public Speaking Competition

We will keep you posted on all the other events planned....