Seychelles the country where teachers receive there Reward on earth and heaven: Long serving teachers honoured

After 46 years in the teaching profession, Jeanne d’Arc Rose of Anse Aux Pins primary school is the recipient of the 2013 longest serving teacher award.

She received the award from the hands of President James Michel during the Teachers’ Award presentation ceremony held at State House yesterday evening.

This was the main activity to mark thisyear’s Teachers’ Week. Added to her trophy, Mrs Rose also received a cash prize from President Michel.

Mrs Rose, 64 years old and who will be retiring at the end this year, joined the teaching profession in 1967 at the age of 18 when she taught all subjects at the La Misère primary school. In 1971 she was transferred to Anse aux Pins primary school before joining the then-Teacher Training College one year later.

After two years of teacher training she returned to Anse aux Pins and she has remained faithful to her district school until today. She said that it was her elder sister Paulina who inspired her into the profession.

 

“When I saw her teaching I wanted to become a teacher as well. In fact, I started teaching informally at home to children in the community long before I became a qualified teacher,” she revealed.

She said that her biggest achievement in teaching is to have shaped the character and given skills and knowledge to numerous students who have grown up to become intelligent and responsible citizens. She, however, seemed too humble to say that she taught mathematics to the present Minister for Finance, Trade and Investment, Pierre Laporte.

When asked of the challenges encountered during her long career, Mrs Rose said that teaching in itself is a challenge and as a result a teacher has to work with upmost responsibility and show love and understanding not only to their students, but also to their family and community.

“When I am in class I forget all my problems,” she concluded.

Although she will be shortly retiring from formal teaching, Mrs Rose will not be quitting the profession altogether. She has announced that as during her entire adult life she has been instilling spiritual values in children, she will continue to teach religion at the Anse Aux Pins primary school.

In her speech, Education Minister Macsuzy Mondon paid tribute to our teachers and described the occasion as a momentous one.

“I say momentous because this is the annual occasion on which, with one voice, we pay tribute to teachers who have devoted decades of their lives to the teaching profession. Today, we are honouring 52 long serving teachers and the level of gratitude of our government is epitomised in our President’s goodwill to host this Teachers’ Awards ceremony,” said Minister Mondon.

She called on the invitees to reflect on the situation of the teaching profession in Seychelles of which the most critical factor is the inability to attract young Seychellois to take up teaching as a career.

“As a ministry, we are undeterred in our effort to promote the teaching profession and will continue to do our level best to address the teacher shortage that remains a persistent challenge for our country. As we explore new strategies to attract the youths into the profession, we will also look for ways to rekindle the motivation of newly trained teachers, to persuade those who are still indecisive in their career choice and to sustain the motivation of those who are committed to make that difference,” Minister Mondon promised.

Other awards distributed yesterday were for longest serving head teachers, longest serving teacher trainer, teachers with 25 years of service and retiring teachers. Milena Richard and Vivienne Preira are the longest serving head teachers with 15 years of service, while after 35 years in the profession Mariette Lucas is the longest serving teacher trainer.

We publish below the list of teachers with 25 years of service and the retiring ones.

Teachers with 25 years of service: Erica Payet, Anna Pothin, Kersan Louise, Gilbert Benoit, Rosalie Traore, Leslie Samsoodin, Maisy Nibourette, Michel Dogley, Guylianne Bonne, Susie Barbe, Mona Marie, Marie Hélène Hétimier, Josette Cécile, Marie–Anne Knowles, Annette Quatre, Marylis Loze, Marie Ange Hoareau, Emée Hoareau, Leontine Bijoux, Rosy Barbé, Ian Collie, Michelle Bernard, Marie Michelle Nibourette, Bernard Jolicoeur, Joseph Adam, Marie Antoine Bibi, Annette Naya, Fiona Ernesta, Annette Boniface, Marie Hélène Célestine, Anne Jeremie, Paulette Gabriel, Kenneth Esparon, Philip Volcere, and Ina Felix.

Retiring teachers for 2013: Marie Thérèse Romain, Lucia Samson, Anne Nicole, Anne-Marie Belmont, Cécile Boniface, Marie Thérèse Elizabeth, Antonio Damoo, Daisita Kilindo, Gisele Tirant, and Marie-Paulette Naiken.