(Seychelles News Agency) - On Monday, for the first time, government schools in Seychelles welcomed some 2 663 new students in crèche, 1,386 in Primary 1 and 1,445 in Secondary 1, the first classes of primary and secondary school respectively.

For the children, parents and teachers of the Indian Ocean archipelago, it was an exciting and long-awaited moment, and for some their first day of ‘big school’ resulted in nervousness and even a few tears. This year, a total of 18 000 students have joined both government primary and secondary schools across the country, which has a total population of 90,000.

Ruben Lespoir, a language coordinator at La Misére School and also the father of two young children shared his feelings with SNA.

“My first child joined Primary 1 and it is an exciting moment for him and for me. He has been waiting for this moment for some time,” he said. “His first day at school went well and all the children were quite excited too. But I find that the January salary is too far from the first day of school.”

Mother-of-three Mifa Charles was also quite excited. This year her first child started Secondary 1 in a new school.

“My first son was quite worried as he was changing school but he was well-assisted by his teacher. My second one also went through the streaming process and he is very happy with the teacher he got. Our new challenges this year are to make the children more systematic in their studies and having a balanced life.” 

Nervous children and parents entering into primary and secondary for the first time were kitted out in their brand-new uniforms, ready to tackle the school year ahead. (Joe Laurence, Seychelles News Agency) Photo License: CC-BY

But she also lamented the rising cost of school stationery and uniforms.

“Back-to-school also means extra expenses. The materials for each child cost approximately 3 000 rupees (just over $200) including uniforms.”

Yesterday, the Seychelles Minister of Education, MacSuzy Mondon, attended the first school assembly at Anse Royale Primary school in the south of the main island of Mahé.

In her first address for the new school year to the students, staff and parents, Minister Mondon made a special call to the teachers, education leaders, students and parents to live healthier, more active lifestyles.

For 2015, the Minister also asked all the teachers and people involved in the education system to commit themselves to making the school year a success and appealed to all the children in the country to attend school and work hard to achieve good results.

“If we all do our part, there is no reason why the Seychelles education system cannot advance to a level of quality and excellence that we can all be proud of,” she said.