Seychelles Partners With Think Equal to Revolutionise Early Childhood Education
VICTORIA, Seychelles — The Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development has signed a memorandum of understanding with Think Equal, a globally recognised non-profit organisation focused on enhancing social and emotional learning in early childhood education, placing Seychelles at the forefront of a worldwide initiative spanning 39 countries. The Seychelles Think Equal partnership was signed by Dr Justin Zelime, principal secretary for General Education and Curriculum, and Priyanka Devani, director of Global Programmes at Think Equal Africa and the Middle East.
The implementation of the Think Equal programme is set to begin in term two of 2026, starting with crèches and primary one classrooms. Teachers will have access to a diverse selection of multilingual resources, including storybooks, lesson plans, and teaching guides, all translated into Creole, English, and French. Education Minister David Pierre expressed the ministry’s vision, describing the partnership as a commitment to transforming education in Seychelles by placing equal emphasis on both academic success and emotional intelligence.
Globally, social emotional learning is increasingly recognised as a fundamental component of comprehensive education, equipping children with essential skills such as emotional management, relationship building, empathy, and responsible decision-making. Research demonstrates that children engaged in effective SEL programmes achieve higher academic performance, display improved behaviour, and cultivate greater emotional resilience.
The programme will utilise a train-the-trainer model, where master trainers from primary schools will receive in-depth training and subsequently share their expertise with other teachers in their schools. The ministry has also established a thorough monitoring and evaluation framework to assess effectiveness, tracking the percentage of schools adopting the programme, the number of teachers trained and certified, and improvements in student behaviour.
Priyanka Devani emphasised that education extends beyond literacy and numeracy to encompass teaching core values such as kindness, empathy, and respect. The initiative aligns with the ministry’s strategic plan for 2025-2029, which prioritises holistic learner development, equitable quality education, and value-based learning.
Think Equal marks a new era for social and emotional learning in Seychelles’ education system.
