FECAS - ECSVS Forum

Maths teaching should improve for good results

29-October-2014


All children have the capability of understanding Mathematics and making progress, but if the teaching isn’t good and the resources aren’t good then we have a problem.

Brian O’Doherty, principal of St Patrick’s Loreto private primary school in Ireland, made this revelation to the media yesterday morning as he prepared to run a half-day workshop to introduce a new series of Mathematics textbooks – Cracking Maths.

The Cracking Maths textbooks are for primary schools and the aim of the workshop forms part of the education sector’s medium term strategy 2013-2017 to improve the numeracy skills and competencies at primary level.

Organised by the Centre for Curriculum, Assessment and Teacher Support (CCATS) of the Ministry of Education, yesterday’s workshop at the ministry’s headquarters contained two presentations.

http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=243476

New Glacis school to be completed by May 2015
http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=243473

MTC Graduation - Nelson Etienne clinches Outstanding Student Award

26-February-2015


Nelson Etienne clinched the Outstanding Student Award (President’s Cup) during the Maritime Training Centre’s (MTC) graduation ceremony held yesterday at the International Conference Centre.

Nelson graduated with an Advanced Certificate in Navigation and Seamanship.
President James Michel presented Nelson with his cup and a laptop computer.

The ceremony, the first post-secondary graduation to be organised this year for 2014 cohorts, was also attended by Vice-President Danny Faure, several ministers, parents of the graduates, among other distinguished guests.

Nelson, who started on apprenticeship courses, persevered in his studies and applied for the advanced course at the MTC.

http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=244640
His aim is to continue to work hard to prove himself so as to obtain a scholarship in advanced navigation.

“I was not expecting to win any prize today but I am really happy and proud of myself and I wish to express my gratitude to all those who have encouraged and helped me,” said the young man in the presence of his proud father Mark Etienne.

Our photo shows Nelson receiving his trophy from President Michel.

Margaret Pillay joins ISS as principal

07-April-2015
Mrs PillayMargaret Pillay is the new principal of the International School Seychelles.
She is in fact the first Seychellois to be appointed the school’s principal and she took the International School Seychelles (ISS) headship on April 1 this year.

Mrs Pillay was previously the chief executive of the Agency for National Human Resource Development (ANHRD) following her appointment by President James Michel on April 1, 2012. She has succeeded Karl Wilkinson who took charge of the school in 2013.

Speaking to Seychelles NATION in a telephone interview, Mrs Pillay said: “It is a delight and a privilege to have been appointed principal of International School Seychelles. I see it as a fantastic opportunity as Seychellois have over the years learned a lot in the education field.”

A teacher by profession before becoming the ANHRD chief executive, Mrs Pillay added that after her three-year contract as chief executive came to an end on March 31, she felt she needed a new challenge.

“Working as chief executive of the ANHDR has built on my experience and my capacity to take on new challenges. In joining ISS as principal, I welcomed the move to a familiar field and at the highest leadership position. I also feel that the ISS feels a Seychellois can do the job and it is very interesting as at least over 50% of the students are Seychellois. There are also a number of Seychellois teachers at the school,” said Mrs Pillay.

Mrs Pillay holds a Bachelor’s degree in English and a Masters in Education.

http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=245020

Shaping the future together

11-April-2015
The Ministry of Education’s Education Medium Term Strategy (MTS) 2013-17 and Beyond will be launched on Monday April 13 at the International Conference Centre.

The MTS 2013-17 and Beyond follows a recommendation of the Education Reform Plan 2009-2010 and lays out the goals of the Ministry of Education (MoE) for the further transformation of the education system. It also identifies the main areas of action in the short and medium term to realise these goals. It defines the government’s priorities within the education sector.

In addition, it provides a framework for decisions on allocation of national resources in a cost-effective and sustainable manner, as well as external assistance needs.

The MTS addresses 13 areas (4 core components and 9 cross-cutting themes), covering the entire education and training system.

Furthermore, the MTS represents a statement of intention and commitment to engage in the further transformation of the education and training system, over the next five years and beyond.
The formulation of the strategic plan was through a consultative process involving local and international partners and stakeholders.

Following the official approval of the strategic plan in 2014, the MoE conducted two educational sessions with the management of educational institutions, school council and Parents Teachers Association (PTA) chairpersons at the start of 2015. The aim was to identify their roles in the implementation of the strategic plan in the new landscape of school governance.

As a follow-up to the sessions, all parties concerned were ready to share the strategic plan within their respective educational institutions. Different teams were established to help the heads of institutions and council chairpersons in the sharing of the strategic plan.

Sessions on the MTS 2013-17 and Beyond, in the different educational institutions were organised from February 17 to March 6, 2015 for all members of educational institutions.

In most educational institutions, the sessions were conducted by the senior management and the school council chairperson in some instances. The presentation focused mainly on the background, development process, purpose and goals, different priority components and subcomponents, priority areas for action of the strategic plan, the summary of the situation analysis and findings, and targets for the different priority areas.

As part of the educational process, those who took part were invited to seek clarifications, ask questions, and given the opportunity to vow their support to this plan in our quest for improving the quality of education for the prosperity of our country.

The MTS constitutes a road map for further transformation of the education process to achieve quality lifelong education for all, and the improvement of national sustainable development.

The launch of the MTS 2013-2017 and Beyond will ensure that the plan now becomes a public document for learners, teachers, parents, stakeholders and the general public to pledge their support in its implementation.

http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=245069

178 graduate from business studies and visual arts schools

11-April-2015
• Havilah Belle and Ahmed Essack clinch President’s Cup


Havilah Belle of the SBSA and Ahmed Essack of the SVA accepting the President’s Cup from President Michel

A total of 178 students have graduated after successfully completing seven programmes offered by the School of Business Studies and Accounting (SBSA) and the School of Visual Arts (SVA) at Advanced Certificate and Diploma Levels.

http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=245071

Education Medium Term Strategic Plan launched

14-April-2015

After the years 2013 and 2014 had been dedicated to its formulation, the Education Medium Term Strategic Plan for 2013-2017 and beyond was officially launched at the International Conference Centre (ICCS) yesterday afternoon.

The Education Medium Term Strategic Plan has been defined with the help of the European Union (EU), Unesco, the World Bank and Dr John Nolan, consultant from the National University of Ireland.

http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=245096