President Dr Patrick Herminie Celebrates Caregivers, Supporting Children with Disabilities
Advancing inclusive education and strengthening support for learners with disabilities were highlighted on Thursday afternoon when the President of the Republic of Seychelles, Dr Patrick Herminie, attended the closing ceremony of the project “Strengthening Caregiver Support for School-Going Children with Disabilities.”
The ceremony, held at the Harbour Light Restaurant at Maison du Peuple, marked the completion of a national capacity-building initiative implemented by the School for the Exceptional Child (SEC) in partnership with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The programme aimed to equip caregivers and parents with practical skills and knowledge to better support learners with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) both at home and within school environments.
Minister for Education, Dr David Pierre, who attended the ceremony, highlighted the significance of the initiative in advancing Seychelles’ commitment to inclusive education.
The Minister noted that the event represented more than the conclusion of a project, describing it as a celebration of partnership, dedication and the shared commitment to ensure that every child, regardless of ability, is given the opportunity to learn, develop and participate fully in society.
He commended the School for the Exceptional Child for its leadership in championing inclusive education and recognised the important role caregivers play in supporting children with disabilities.
The Minister also expressed the government’s appreciation to UNESCO for its financial and technical support, noting that such partnerships reflect the importance of international cooperation in advancing inclusive education and social equity.
The training programme was supported through UNESCO’s Participation Programme for the 2024–2025 biennium, with Seychelles receiving USD 14,000 (approximately SCR 204,851.59) to implement the project.
In his remarks, the Secretary General of the Seychelles National Commission for UNESCO, Ms Vicky Michel, underscored that the initiative aligns with international commitments to inclusive education, including the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, ratified by Seychelles in 2009, as well as Sustainable Development Goal 4, which promotes equitable and inclusive quality education for all.
The project focused on strengthening the capacity of caregivers and parents through a comprehensive training programme delivered by facilitators from the education, health and social sectors. Participants were trained on various aspects of disability awareness, support strategies and the implementation of Individualised Education Plans (IEPs).
The initiative also aimed to enhance collaboration between families and education professionals while improving the quality of support provided to learners with disabilities in both special and mainstream educational settings.
During the ceremony, 21 caregivers and parents were recognised for successfully completing the training programme. Among the participants was Mr Roger Eulentin, the only male participant, who described the programme as beneficial and particularly valuable in “helping him better support his child with a disability.”
Delivering the opening remarks, Chairperson of the School Council, Mr Benjamin Vel, welcomed government partners, UNESCO representatives, caregivers and guests to the ceremony, noting that the project demonstrated the power of collaboration in building a more inclusive education system.
He emphasised that the initiative represented a collective effort by educators, caregivers, government institutions and international partners to strengthen support for children with disabilities.
“As we celebrate the completion of this project, we are not only recognising a training programme, but also the people who work every day to support children with disabilities to learn, grow and succeed,” Mr Vel said.
The closing ceremony featured presentations, remarks by representatives of UNESCO, and the formal presentation of certificates to participants, followed by a group interaction session.
Also present at the ceremony were Vice President Sebastien Pillay, Leader of the Opposition Bernard Georges, and representatives of UNESCO, educators, caregivers, and other invited guests.
The project also supports Seychelles’ national education priorities under the Inclusive Education Policy (2015) and the Education (Amendment) Act, 2017, which seek to promote equity and inclusion to enable all learners, including those with SEND, to fully benefit from quality education.
