Longest serving teachers Madeleine Hoareau (left) and Gloriette De Commarmond after they had been presented with their awards by Minister Faure

The highlight of activities to mark this year’s Teachers' Day (October 5) was an award presentation ceremony during which over 40 teachers were presented with cash prizes and awards in recognition for their long years of service in this noble profession.

The ceremony took place on Saturday October 4, at the Seychelles Polytechnic Hall at Anse Royale and was attended by First Lady Sarah René, ministers and some 300 teachers.

This year's Teachers' Day was celebrated under the theme “Supporting Teachers for Quality Education".

Mrs Madeleine Hoareau from Pointe Larue Secondary School and Gloriette De Commarmond from Beau Vallon Secondary School clinched this year's award for longest serving teachers. They have both spent 47 years of their life in the teaching profession.

They each won cash prizes and a special award sponsored by President France Albert René and presented to them by Danny Faure, Minister for Education and Youth. 

Nine retiring teachers were also rewarded for their long service – Ginette Julie (Bel Ombre Primary School), May René (Plaisance Primary School) Angela Fred, Nolla Accouche (Grand Anse Praslin School), Cecile Soopramanian (La Rosière Primary School), Marie-Andrée Dingwall (Anse Royale Secondary School), Yvana Payet (La Retraite Primary School), Queency Vidot (Baie Lazare Primary School) and John Adam (Seychelles Hospitality and Tourism Training College). The teachers received an award each sponsored by the National Council for Children (NCC), the Seychelles Association for Women Professionals (Sawop), the State Assurance Corporation of Seychelles (Sacos) and the Teachers' Association.

Twenty-eight other teachers were also rewarded for 25 years of continuing service.  They received cash prizes and certificates sponsored by Vice-President James Michel and their prizes were presented to them by Minister Faure.

The 28 teachers are Mirenda Beaudoin, Sylvianne Pillay, Mirena Medor, Christelle Bibi, Huguette Estro, Jeanine Marie, Thérèse Adonis, Davina Julie, Jacqueline Florine, Jesselin Kilindo, Luciana Hypolite, Gertrude Nourrice, Gemma Banane, Rosemonde Louis-Marie, Christianne Nibourette, Julita Sopha, Bernadette Didon, Linda Françoise, Mariette Mondon, Gerard Mémé, Ghislaine Boniface, Alyse Nanty, Norbert Dogley, Ramona Esparon, Mariette Lucas, Robby Woodcock, Alva Lawen and Antoinette Lucas.

The cash prize award for the longest serving headteacher went to Odile Octave of Plaisance Primary School with 26 years' experience in the teaching profession.

The longest serving studies cordinator, Ms Violette Laporte from Anse Boileau School, also received an award. She has been in the post since 1993.

Three special awards for the longest serving expatriates went to Sri Lankans Hapuratchige Calisteus, Godfrey Sovis and Lionnel Goonagilleke, who have been teaching in Seychelles for the past 17 years.

During the ceremony, some teachers performed various songs.

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