‘Special day for China-Seychelles relations’
02.10.2009
Joy as new Baie Lazare primary school opens
The new Baie Lazare primary school was officially opened yesterday as President James Michel and Chinese ambassador Wang Weiguo unveiled the plaque.
The colourful and vibrant ceremony was also attended by Vice-President Joseph Belmont, several ministers, leader of the opposition in the National Assembly Wavel Ramkalawan, other high government officials, teachers including some from neighbouring schools, parish priest Father François, parents and pupils.
Work on the school, which is a gift from the People’s Republic of China, started in July 2007 and was completed in December last year.
The project has been carried out by the China State Construction Engineering Corporation.
The new school, considered to be the best designed and most attractive in the country, has several blocks and includes a crèche as well as a range of modern facilities and ample space for more than 300 pupils and their teachers. It also boasts a splendid view of the district’s central area.
Addressing the guests before the plaque was unveiled, Minister for Education Bernard Shamlaye said the inauguration of the new school marks a special day for education in Seychelles and in relations between Seychelles and China.
“It is thanks to our friends and development partners, the government of the People’s Republic of China, that our dream for this new school has been realised,” he said.
Mr Shamlaye said it was a coincidence but also very fitting that the opening of the new school took place on the day the People’s Republic of China celebrated the 60th anniversary of its foundation.
He noted that during those 60 years the Chinese people have struggled and worked hard to build the China of today, the China that can provide help to others and is willing to do so in the spirit of solidarity and mutual respect.
He asked Mr Wang to accept our congratulations on the occasion of his country’s and people’s national day and to convey our deepest gratitude to the Chinese government and people.
“We are indeed very grateful,” he said, adding a few words of thanks and congratulations in Chinese.
Mr Shamlaye said in organising the official opening, special honours go to the people of Baie Lazare, as this weekend they celebrate the feast of the parish’s patron saint Francis of Assisi, and to the teachers, who are celebrating their week.
“We want, through this homage to the community and to the teachers, to underline the importance of the school and the community coming together for the benefit of the children,” he said.
Mr Shamlaye then congratulated and thanked the parents and the community of Baie Lazare for coming together, helping to put everything in order and tidying the school compound.
He called on them to continue in this spirit of volunteerism for the benefit of the pupils.
Saying he felt proud and privileged to be part of the inauguration ceremony, Mr Wang took the opportunity to convey a message of congratulation from the government and people of China to Mr Shamlaye, the government and people of Seychelles.
He praised the excellent relations based on mutual respect and understanding that China and Seychelles have been enjoying for the past 30 years. The new school is one of the results of the promise to increase aid that the Chinese government made to African countries during the Sino-African Cooperation Forum at the Beijing summit in November 2006, he added.
“The current global economic crisis has resulted in great difficulties among many countries, but this will not affect further development of Sino-African cooperation,” said Mr Wang.
“We will not stop here, the Chinese government will continue to support, within its capabilities, the social and economic development of Seychelles.
“The Chinese government highly appreciates that the Seychelles government puts education at the top of its priorities for development.”
Addressing the gathering, school headteacher Milena Richard said the long-awaited modern facilities that the new school provides will surely rekindle teachers’ morale, enhance their commitment to teaching and give the pupils an environment more conducive to learning.
And Lydie Alphonse, chairperson of the school’s parent-teacher association, said: “Parents, pupils and the Baie Lazare community, we are privileged to have been given a gift of the most beautiful school in the country. We need to continue to give our support in whatever way possible to help maintain this beauty.”
After tokens of appreciation were presented to Mr Michel, other guests and sponsors of the school, Miss Richard took the group on a guided tour.