Teachers Rewarded for Long Years of Service
Thu, 02 October 2014 | Education
Teachers who have dedicated long years of service in Education were rewarded during the 24th edition of the annual Teachers’ Award Ceremony held at State House this afternoon. President James Michel presented an award to the Longest Serving Teacher, Mrs. Noemie Godley who has clocked 46 years in the teaching profession.
The ceremony was attended by the Designated Minister, Vincent Meriton, Minister for Education, Macsuzy Mondon, other Cabinet Ministers, Ministry of Education officials, head-teachers, award recipients and other distinguished guests.
In her speech, the Minister for Education, Mrs. Macsuzy Mondon commended the teachers for their devotion and hard work, as part of year’s theme ‘Teachers Light Up the World'. She noted that the theme reflects the importance of a teacher's role in a developing society.
“Our theme is also an apt tribute to the 50 teachers receiving long service awards, among whom 40 are being rewarded for 25 years of service and 7 are bowing out on the road to retirement. Also being rewarded is our longest serving Teacher, Headteacher and Teacher Trainer,” said Minister Mondon.
During the award ceremony the Longest Serving Headteacher, Mrs Beryl Botsoie and Longest Serving Teacher Trainer, Mrs. Lymia Bibi also received special awards. A total of forty one teachers received certificates for their commitment and hard work during twenty five years of service in education while six retiring teachers received trophies for their long years of dedication to the profession. Though they face many challenges in their profession, the Minister urged all teachers to stay focus on the nobility of their profession and to continue to deliver as is required of them in providing quality education for all.
“My message to you is that you should never despair or be discouraged by the challenges inherent to the teaching profession, no matter how daunting they may be at any given time. Neither should you ever be disheartened by the negative publicity and contempt that often replace the credit you really deserve, for even the scriptures warn that not many of us should become teachers, knowing that those who teach shall receive a stricter judgement,” said the Minister.
She continued…”..I urge you to focus on the lofty responsibility that society has bestowed on you because your job as teachers, even as teachers of the less desirable students in difficult environments, is still the most noble choice of all. Also remember that, viewed from a positive angle, our society’s critical observation of teachers’ work should be to your credit because it emanates from society’s view of teachers as unique problem solvers, who have the will and heart to make things happen. This is why society looks to teachers for solutions”.
The Minister also announced that the Ministry of Education is reviewing the Teacher Scheme of Service and that it will be implemented next year. She also informed that next year her Ministry will be re-introducing the laptop scheme for teachers.
Editor’s Note:
• Teachers Week Activities are this year being celebrated under the theme: Teachers Light up the World
• World Teachers’ Day was declared by UNESCO since 1994 and is celebrated worldwide by numerous educational institutions.
• In Seychelles the Ministry of Education organized a series of activities for the week which included a special gatherings on Praslin for retired teachers of Prasllin and La Digue, blood donation drive, a symposium by the Seychelles Institute of Teacher Education S.I.T.E, a Teachers Gala to be held on the 4th of October at the Coral Strand Hotel. A similar gathering as held on Praslin for a group of retired teachers on Mahe will also be held on Sunday 5th October.