1. Presentation of Seychelles

2.  Providing for the diversity of educational needs and national development priorities  1.1Reform the Structure and Curriculum of Secondary Schools to better meet the diverse needs of students and the national economy.  1.1.1Approval of Cabinet Memorandum on Reform the Secondary School Structure & Curriculum in September 2009.  1.1.2Approval of Cabinet Memorandum on Implementation of Phase One of Secondary Curriculum (TVET) in December 2010.  1.1.3Implementation of Phase One TVET 2011-2012.  1.1.4Formulation of National Curriculum Framework (In Progress).  1.1.5Formulation of National Assessment Framework (In Progress).  Introduction of New Subject Options for Secondary schools in 2012.  Piloting of Records of Achievements in S1-S3 in 2012.  Cabinet Information Note on CCATS (Centre for Curriculum, Assessment and Teacher Support) in September 2009.  Establishment of CCATS in December 2010. 2

3.  1.2 Review the Early Childhood Curriculum to Increase Focus on Literacy, Numeracy and Life Skills Taking into Account the Economic and Social Advantages of Trilingualism.  1.2.1Consultancy on Language Policy in 2010.  1.2.2Introduction of Creole Reading Scheme in Crèche 01/P1 in 2010.  1.2.3Introduction of New English Reading Scheme “Jolly Phonics” in Primary in 2011.  1.2.4Approval of the Early Childhood Care at Education Framework in September 2011.  1.2.5 Establishment of the Early Childhood Institute in August 2012  1.2.6Draft Policy on Inclusion in 2013.  1.2.7Procured new English Reading Scheme for Primary 3 to Primary 6 students 2013. 3

4.  1.2.8Re-introduction of the Special Needs Education Section in 2013  1.3Rationalise Higher Education and Training Provision (in collaboration with relevant partners) to make them more responsive to the needs of the labour market, and ensure coherence and optimal use of resources within a higher education framework 1.3.1 Enactment of Tertiary Education Act (2011) in November 2011. 1.3.2 Establishment of University of Seychelles (UniSey) in September 2009. 1.3.3 Establishment of Tertiary Education Commission in April 2012. 1.3.4 Cabinet Memorandum on Transformation of SALS (School of Advanced studies) in September 2012. 4

5.  1.4 Undertake an Overhaul of the Government Scholarship Scheme.  1.4.1Approval of Revised Scholarship Scheme by Cabinet in August 2009.  2.0 Guaranteeing quality education in schools  2.1Establish a school support and evaluation system at the Education headquarters to ensure that the quality and standards of education is maintained within a framework for continuous improvement. Support shall be given to schools to prepare for school inspection.  2.1.1Approval of Memorandum on New Model for School Inspection in November 2009.  2.1.2Establishment of Inspectorate Unit in 2009 and Implementation in 2010.  2.1.3Cabinet Information Note Implementation of New Inspectorate Model in 2010.  2.1.4Inspectorate Common Framework- Looking at Our School- Effective Self Evaluation through Collaborative Partnerships adopted in 2010. 5

6.  3.0 IMPROVING QUALITY OF TEACHERS  3.1Reinforce the National Institute of Education (NIE) (within the context of the University of Seychelles) and refocus its role to develop a coherent (pre-and-in-service) teacher training and professional development programme which empowers the teacher to meet the ever changing demands of the profession and emerging trends in education.  Integration of NIE as School of Education of UniSey in January 2010.   Note: Cabinet decision to delink School of Education from UniSey and to establish a new Teacher Education Centre in November 2012. 6

7.  4.0 Improving the governance of educational institutions  4.1Restructure and downsize the HQ administration to focus on  (i) strategy, policy and planning  (ii) quality, curriculum development and assessment and  (iii) resources, infrastructure and support services: and supported by two statutory authorities:  Seychelles Qualifications Authority and  Further and Higher Education Authority (under which all higher education institutions would be regulated).  Adjustments to Ministry of Education Organigram (Latest in 2013). Note:  Further & Higher Education Authority now Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) 7

8.  4.2Provide Greater Autonomy to Schools with a view for them to become more result-oriented within a transparent and accountable framework.  Cabinet approval of Memorandum on New Governance Model for Schools in September 2009.  Publication of Improving the Governance Handbook in August 2010.  Gazetting of School Council Regulations.  4.2.3Launching of School Councils in 2010. 8

9.  5.0 Creating responsible and empowered students  5.1Review and Strengthen the pastoral care system of schools and post- secondary institutions to foster self-development and empower students and others to become responsible, caring co-operative members of their schools, homes and society.  5.1.1Approval of new Pastoral Care System Memorandum, October 2009.  5.1.2Revised Code of Conduct for Primary & Secondary, June 2010.  5.1.3 Revised Whole-School Behaviour Management Policy January 2010.  5.1.4Implement new management structures to support the new Pastoral Care System 2011. 9

10.  Creating responsible and empowered students (contd)  5.1.5Creole version of the new Student Code of Conduct in 2012.  5.1.6Launching of Students Association in 2011.  5.2 Review and strengthen the citizenship education program in all educational institutions to promote social cohesion, the spirit and practice of volunteerism, national unity and international understanding and peace.  5.2.1Introduction of Civic Education in Primary and Secondary in 2012 and Post Secondary in 2013. 10

11.  5.2 Review and strengthen the citizenship education program in all educational institutions to promote social cohesion, the spirit and practice of volunteerism, national unity and international understanding and peace.  5.2.1 Introduction of Civic Education in Primary and Secondary in 2012 and Post Secondary in 2013.  PRESENT ENGAGEMENT: Development of Education Sector Medium Term Strategy 2013-2017. 11

12.  Seychelles has no OER policy but has been involved in the Open schooling project.  In 2008, Seychelles joined five other countries: Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, Trinidad & Tobago and Zambia to develop Open Education Resources for COL Open Schooling project.  Seychelles worked on science and life skills units.  All countries successfully developed print and online courses hosted in the learning management system Moodle. 12

13.  While our Education system and Education Policy make provisions for education for all students, our venture into the Open Schooling Project is unique:  It will be used in our conventional school system mainly to address shortages of teachers.  It will also help learners to develop a sense of independent learning.  It will provide opportunities for parents to be more involved in the learning process of their children.  In the long run as lifelong learners, parents might even enrol for the courses themselves as the OERs will also be used to offer second chances to one and all.  The use of OERs ensures harmonised instruction and comparable quality of provision. 13

14.  A regional OER Policy will  harmonise OERs across countries.  encourage student mobility between institutions within and countries.  Increase sharing and exchange of expertise/experiences of OER/ODL across countries.  Note : There is a need to harmonise and integrate OER and ODL policies. 14

15. Thank you for your attention 15