Third Cohort of TVET Teachers Heads to China for Training
VICTORIA, Seychelles, A third cohort of Technical, Vocational Education and Training (TVET) teachers is set to travel to China this week for a period of study and internship in industry. The programme is part of the ongoing cooperation between Seychelles and the People Republic of China in the area of skills development. The teachers will spend several weeks in vocational institutions and partner factories, gaining exposure to modern teaching methods and to the latest technology used in the relevant trades.
The cooperation with China in the TVET sector dates back several years and has involved the training of two previous cohorts of Seychellois teachers. The first two cohorts returned to Seychelles having completed their training and are now applying the knowledge they gained in their respective institutions. The third cohort is expected to build on this work, with a particular focus on areas such as automotive technology, electrical installation, welding, and information technology.
Officials from the Department of TVET said the programme is designed to align the skills taught in Seychelles with international standards and to expose teachers to new pedagogical approaches. The teachers will also have the opportunity to observe how vocational institutions in China are organised and managed, and how they link with industry to ensure that training matches the needs of the labour market. The exposure is expected to inform the ongoing reform of the TVET sector in Seychelles.
The Chinese Embassy in Seychelles has indicated that the programme is part of a wider package of cooperation between the two countries, which includes the Confucius Institute at the University of Seychelles, infrastructure projects, and training in other sectors. The embassy has expressed its commitment to continue supporting Seychelles in its efforts to build a skilled workforce. The cooperation is seen as a key pillar of the bilateral relationship and is expected to continue in the years ahead.
The teachers will travel in two groups, with the first group departing this week and the second group following later in the month. They are expected to return to Seychelles by the end of the training period and to take up their teaching duties at the various TVET centres across the country. The Department of TVET has indicated that the experiences of the returning teachers will be shared with their colleagues through a series of workshops and seminars to be held in due course.
