Some even wondered if their dream to use such computers in primary schools would truly materialise.

One of them was 10-year-old Shakur Belle of Plaisance, who in just a matter of days later, said the following when the Sheikh Khalifa IT Project for all primary schools was launched in her school:

“I was excited when I first heard President James Michel talking about the e-learning project.
“I do not have a laptop so I wanted to start off right away.

“I was overjoyed when I first started using the PC classmate at school.”

Miss Belle said she soon realised she was going to learn a lot through the computers, which experts said will be able to help the pupils better understand subjects like mathematics, sciences and general knowledge.

“I can look for information on the topic I am working on, draw tables and even take pictures. Wow! It really is fun,” she said.

She noted if she continues to work hard and becomes computer literate it will be easy for her to find a job.

“I feel confident to speak the technological language and I’m now connected to the world,” she said.

The school’s headteacher Cyril Pillay thanked Mr Michel for the initiative and the United Arab Emirates for financing it.

He said all the people involved in implementing it – including staff of his school and of the University of Seychelles  – worked as a team and commended them for that.

The project has been funded by Sheikh Khalifa bin Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Abu Dhabi.
The UAE was represented at the ceremony by Dr Hassan Yousuf Mohamed Al Awadhi of the UAE who handed over the project.

Vision turns into reality

Education, Employment and Human Resources Minister Macsuzy Mondon said the launch of the project was yet another important chapter in the history of education in Seychelles.

“On behalf of the children of Seychelles I say thank you to His Highness,” she said.

Mrs Mondon said the earlier we are able to give our children access to educational opportunities, the more we will develop as a nation.

She recalled in his National Day 2010 address, President Michel announced the project. She quoted him as saying:

“As a result of an active partnership with a friendly country, we will now be able to speed

up the implementation of the programme in all schools.  We will start the programme in primary schools which will receive new information technology facilities and be provided with access to modern and efficient equipment.”

Mrs Mondon said in less than a year, the vision of the President has turned into reality.

“The young children in our primary schools have started to explore the new technologies with much enthusiasm.
“This is a real victory for Seychelles and the Seychellois children.

“I wish at this point to express my sincere appreciation to the President of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, for the realisation of the project.

“The aim of the project which is in line with one of the priority areas in the Education Reform 2009-2010, is to provide primary schools’ students and teachers with the latest teaching aids and tools to make teaching and learning a more interesting and effective experience for our students. Such I believe will enable our country and our youth to further embrace the 21st century ICT skills.”

She said training for key partners like teachers, school leaders and curriculum officers was introduced to inform them on the scope of the project, the role they will play and expectations.

“All primary schools have been equipped with the necessary infrastructures to help the implementation of the project. In preparation for the effective implementation of the IT Project, 59 teachers have been trained as Master Trainers.”

She said the trainers are doing an excellent job in giving skills and knowledge acquired in their training to their teaching colleagues.

“Without their dedication it would have been almost impossible to train 300 teachers in that short period of time.

“Now that our schools have been equipped with the latest technologies, our aim is to build innovation and creativity with modern approaches to problem solving.  Teachers can accommodate for different learning modalities and individual differences due to access to digital media.

“Such technology will entice the motivation and stimulate the interest of learners as they become engaged in the learning process.”

New ways of teaching

Mrs Mondon said with the introduction of the IT Project in primary schools, the country would expect to see a shift in the mindset of our teachers in the way they impart knowledge.

“Integrating ICT into their teaching is the only way to break away from the traditional chalk and board strategy.

We expect to see new teaching styles emerging, new enthusiasm developing and new potential being explored.  We expect to see progress in the performance of our students and a transformation in education as a whole,” she said.