Presented by:

Joan Amade

Principal Quality Assurance OfficerSeychelles Qualifications Authority

June 2016

The Republic of Seychelles is situated in the Indian Ocean. It comprises of some 115 islands and has a population estimated at 90,000 inhabitants.

It has been a French then British Colony before obtaining its independence in 1976.

Seychelles is a member of international and regional organizations including the United Nations, Commonwealth, African Union, La Francophonie, COMESA, (SADC) the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC) and WTO.

The state recognizes the right to education for all Seychellois citizens.

The state ensures the provision of free education and supports policies towards the complete development of the citizens.

The government is the main funder of state education and allocates the largest share of its annual budget to the Ministry of Education.

In line with the Medium Term Strategy 2013-2017, the MOE has set up policies and mechanism towards:

The provision of quality education and lifelong learning

The availability of adequate resources and qualified personnel in education

Efficient service delivery at levels of the education system

The development and integrations of technology in education

The education system provides for ten (10) years of compulsory education in public schools from Early Childhood (3 years+) to Secondary 5 (16 years) free of direct charge to all Seychellois children.

Progression between early childhood, primary and secondary stages of education is automatic and non-selective.

After Secondary 5, successful learners can enroll for further studies in tertiary institutions. This process is competitive and selective.

17-18 years -Upper Secondary (A Level Cambridge International Exams)

12-16 years –Secondary S1-S5 (National Exam at S3 and S5. IGCSE at S5)

6-11 years –Primary P1-P6 (National Exam at P6)

4-5 years - Early Childhood Crèche 0-3 years - Non formal Early Childhood 

The Constitution provide for the establishment, operation and co-ordination of the development of fee private education and training alongside the state system.

There are fourteen (14) private fee paying education and training provides. Most courses (short courses) are offered on a part-time basis.

Three providers offer full-time education at Primary, Secondary and Higher Secondary level.

Private Providers are registered with the Ministry of Education.

Full-time non university tertiary education and training of one to three years are offered in ten professional centres. Seven centres fall under the responsibility of the Ministry of Education.

The professional centres offer courses at Certificate, Advanced Certificate and Diploma levels. Courses are validated by the Seychelles Qualifications Authority (SQA)

The centres have guidance from their Boards and operate according to their respective Charters in line with the requirements of the Tertiary Education Act.

Seychelles Business Studies Academy (SBSA) Seychelles Maritime Academy (SMA) Seychelles Institute of Technology (SIT) Seychelles Institute of Agriculture and

Horticulture (SIAH) Seychelles Institute of Art and Design (SIAD) Seychelles Institute for Teacher Education

(SITE) Seychelles Institute of Distance and Online

Learning (SIDOL)

The Seychelles Tourism Academy (STA) is managed by the Seychelles Tourism Board.

The Seychelles Police Academy (SPA) is managed by the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

The National Institute of Health and Social Studies (NIHSS) falls under the Management of the Ministry of Health.

The tertiary training providers adhere to the regulations of TEC.

All Providers work closely with local Bodies and industries to respond to the demands from industries and the labour market.

The University of Seychelles (UniSey) is an accredited public education provider.

It offers Programmes at Degree and Masters Level in partnership with Accredited overseas Universities in the fields of Law, Management with Law, French, Tourism.

Local programmes are offered at Degree and Diploma Levels in various fields including Education, Environmental Studies, Social Work.

875 students are currently enrolled on various study programmes at UniSey.

This include students who meet criteria for and have been enrolled on government scholarships.

Other private candidates pay their training fees and training expenses.

Government and private organizations also sponsor training for employees within their respective work organizations mostly on part-time study.

The Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) was set up with the enactment of the Tertiary Education Act in 2011. The Commission is headed by a Board and is administered by a Chief Executive Officer.TEC provides the legal framework within which the professional centres operate and supervises the implementation of their Charters.TEC advises the Minister for Education and Co-ordinates the development of Tertiary Education nationally

The Tertiary Education of Act of 2011 emphasizes the duties of learners to fulfill the requirements of the learning programmes and to respect the institutions’ codes of practice.The Act ensures protection of learnersThe Act provides for an enabling environment for the country to achieve a high level of education and training and to produce a highly skilled workforce.

The SQA was established at the start of 2006 through the Act of November 2005.

The Authority is subject to a Board, whose endorsement must be sought on all matters of policy.

The SQA is mandated to develop and implement a National Qualifications Framework (NQF).

The NQF formalizes the requirement for both public and private education and training providers nationally.

The SQA promotes and regulates the development of qualifications based on unit standards which are linked to workplace and society requirements;

Evaluates, recognizes qualifications and monitors the process of recognition of competencies acquired through formal, non formal and informal learning;

Validates courses on offer nationally; Lead accreditation processes for Tertiary

Providers.

To achieve its mandate, the SQA works in close collaboration with:

The Ministry of Education The Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) Providers of Tertiary Education Ministries of Labour and Employment The Agency for National Human Resources

Development (ANHRD) Overseas Qualifications Authorities, UK

NARIC, Ofqual and other regulatory Bodies.

The advancement of technology has spearheaded the demands for online and distance learning in the country.

The number of learners enrolling on distance/online learning programmes (Degree /Diploma Levels) offered by overseas Providers are increasing rapidly.

Through its “Communication Strategy” the SQA advises learners on status of overseas training providers to ensure that informed decision are made before enrolment.

The Government of Seychelles and the MOE have strong commitment towards the development of education in the country

There are strong efforts and support towards achieving the target of having at least one graduate in every Seychellois family.

The government and the MOE continue to develop and strengthen partnerships with other countries and to work with international organizations to stay abreast with innovations in the Education Sector.

Thank you