Higher Education in Seychelles

1. Presented by:
Joan Amade
Principal Quality Assurance Officer
Seychelles Qualifications Authority
June 2016

2.  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.

3.  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.

4. 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

5.  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.

6.  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

7.  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.

8.  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.

9.  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)

10.  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.

11.  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.

12.  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.

13. 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

14. 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 learners
The 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.

15.  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.

16.  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.

17. 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.

18.  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.

19.  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.

20. Thank you