Education in Seychelles: Difference between revisions
| Line 2: | Line 2: | ||
==History== |
==History== |
||
Until the mid-19th century, little formal education was available in [[Seychelles]]. Both the [[Roman Catholic]] and [[Anglican]] churches opened [[Christian mission|mission]] schools in 1851. The missions continued to operate the secondary schools — Seychelles College run by the [[Brothers of Christian Instruction]] and Regina Mundi Convent run by the [[Sisters of St Joseph of Cluny]] — even after the government became responsible for education in 1944, though primary schools were established throughout the islands with mainly untrained teachers. After a [[teacher training college]] opened in 1959, these teachers were systematically taken out of their schools for a two year training course, resulting in a supply of locally trained teachers becoming available. Since 1981 a system of [[free education]] has been in effect requiring attendance by all children in grades one to nine, beginning at age five. Formerly, school-age children were required to participate in the [[National Youth Service (Seychelles)|National Youth Service]].<ref name=loc>Tartter, Jean R. "Education". [http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/sctoc.html ''A country study: Seychelles''] (Helen Chapin Metz, editor). [[Library of Congress]] [[Federal Research Division]] (August 1994). ''This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the [[public domain]].''</ref> |
Until the mid-19th century, little formal education was available in [[Seychelles]]. Both the [[Roman Catholic]] and [[Anglican]] churches opened [[Christian mission|mission]] schools in 1851. The missions continued to operate the secondary schools — Seychelles College run by the [[Brothers of Christian Instruction]] and Regina Mundi Convent run by the [[Sisters of St. Joseph of Cluny]] — even after the government became responsible for education in 1944, though primary schools were established throughout the islands with mainly untrained teachers. After a [[teacher training college]] opened in 1959, these teachers were systematically taken out of their schools for a two year training course, resulting in a supply of locally trained teachers becoming available. Since 1981 a system of [[free education]] has been in effect requiring attendance by all children in grades one to nine, beginning at age five. Formerly, school-age children were required to participate in the [[National Youth Service (Seychelles)|National Youth Service]].<ref name=loc>Tartter, Jean R. "Education". [http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/sctoc.html ''A country study: Seychelles''] (Helen Chapin Metz, editor). [[Library of Congress]] [[Federal Research Division]] (August 1994). ''This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the [[public domain]].''</ref> |
||
The [[literacy rate]] for school-aged children had risen to more than 90 percent by the late 1980s. Many older Seychellois had not been taught to read or write in their childhood, but adult education classes helped raise adult literacy from 60 percent to a claimed 85 percent in 1991.<ref name=loc/> |
The [[literacy rate]] for school-aged children had risen to more than 90 percent by the late 1980s. Many older Seychellois had not been taught to read or write in their childhood, but adult education classes helped raise adult literacy from 60 percent to a claimed 85 percent in 1991.<ref name=loc/> |
||
Revision as of 12:56, 22 November 2011
 | This article has no lead section. (July 2010) |
History
Until the mid-19th century, little formal education was available in Seychelles. Both the Roman Catholic and Anglican churches opened mission schools in 1851. The missions continued to operate the secondary schools — Seychelles College run by the Brothers of Christian Instruction and Regina Mundi Convent run by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Cluny — even after the government became responsible for education in 1944, though primary schools were established throughout the islands with mainly untrained teachers. After a teacher training college opened in 1959, these teachers were systematically taken out of their schools for a two year training course, resulting in a supply of locally trained teachers becoming available. Since 1981 a system of free education has been in effect requiring attendance by all children in grades one to nine, beginning at age five. Formerly, school-age children were required to participate in the National Youth Service.[1]
The literacy rate for school-aged children had risen to more than 90 percent by the late 1980s. Many older Seychellois had not been taught to read or write in their childhood, but adult education classes helped raise adult literacy from 60 percent to a claimed 85 percent in 1991.[1]
Current status
Education is compulsory up to the age of 16, and free through secondary school up until age 18. Students must pay for uniforms, but not for books or tuition. In 2002, the gross primary enrollment rate was 114 percent and the net primary enrollment rate was 100 percent. Gross and net enrollment ratios are based on the number of students formally registered in primary school and therefore do not necessarily reflect actual school attendance. Primary school attendance statistics are not available for Seychelles. As of 2002, 99 percent of children who started primary school were likely to reach grade 5.[2]
Children are first taught to read and write in Creole. Beginning in grade three, English is used as a teaching language in certain subjects. French is introduced in grade six.[1]
Students can attend Seychelles Polytechnic (1,600 students in 1991) for pre-university studies or other training. In 1993, responding to popular pressure, the government eliminated the requirement of NYS participation in order to enter the Polytechnic. However, it strongly encouraged students to complete NYS before beginning to work at age eighteen. The largest number of students were in teacher training (302), business studies (255), humanities and science (226), and hotels and tourism (132). No opportunities for higher education are available on the islands. Instead, university and higher professional courses are usually pursued through various British, United States, and French scholarship programs.[1]
References
- ^ a b c d Tartter, Jean R. "Education". A country study: Seychelles (Helen Chapin Metz, editor). Library of Congress Federal Research Division (August 1994). This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ^ "Seychelles". 2005 Findings on the Worst Forms of Child Labor. Bureau of International Labor Affairs, U.S. Department of Labor (2006). This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
External links
- Seychelles Ministry of Education
- Education Statistics and Quality of Education in Seychelles, Southern and Eastern Africa Consortium for Monitoring Educational Quality (SACMEQ)
