Overview of the General Education System

The Seychelles is an archipelago nation comprising 115 islands in the Indian Ocean. It has a developing education system influenced by its colonial history. Formal schooling in Seychelles began in 1944, following the end of British colonial rule in 1814.

Today, the system is governed by the Ministry of Education and Human Development, which oversees both state and non-state education. The Principal Secretary of Early Childhood, Primary and Secondary Education, along with the Principal Secretary of Tertiary Education, Policy Planning, and Administration, supervises private education institutions. There is no separate religious ministry controlling non-state education.

The structure of Seychelles’ education system is divided into several levels. As of 2019, pre-primary education enrolls 3,066 children. Primary education, which is free and compulsory, covers six years (P1-P6) starting at age six, with around 9,000 pupils enrolled in 2018 (88% in state schools).

Secondary education spans five years (S1-S5), though only the first four years are compulsory. In 2018, 6,996 students were enrolled in secondary schools, with 89% attending state institutions. The upper secondary program leads to internationally recognized certifications, such as the Cambridge GCE O-Level and IGCSE, which gradually replace the O-Level.

Seychelles has a literacy rate of 91.8%. However, the record shows that 6% of children do not attend school. Boys are more likely to be out of school than girls, with 8% of boys not in school compared to 5% of girls.

The official medium of instruction is English, although Creole is more widely spoken, especially in the early years of education. French is introduced as a foreign language during primary schooling.

On the other hand, special education in Seychelles follows an inclusive model that caters to learners with varied needs. It offers differentiated teaching approaches as outlined in the National Curriculum Framework. Adult education and vocational programs are also available to promote lifelong learning.

In the higher education sector, Seychelles has the University of Seychelles, which was established in 2009. It also has the Seychelles Institute of Technology, and the Blue Economy Research Institute, among others. The country is actively expanding its tertiary offerings through international partnerships, such as its collaboration with the University of Manchester in the UK, to provide first-year degree programs. Despite its small size, Seychelles is aiming to improve access and quality in its higher education system.

Compulsory education in Seychelles spans from the ages of 6 to 15, which encompasses both primary and lower secondary levels. Early childhood education is not mandatory, but it is widely available, with significant enrollment in pre-primary institutions.

Children enter primary school (P1-P6) at age six, where the medium of instruction is initially Creole before transitioning to English in later grades. French is introduced as a foreign language. At the end of primary schooling, students take a national attainment test to assess their educational progress.

After primary school, students advance to secondary school (S1-S5). While secondary education officially spans five years, only four years are compulsory. During secondary schooling, students prepare for international qualifications such as the GCE O-Level or the IGCSE, both of which are recognized globally and essential for progression to post-secondary education or vocational training. The final year of secondary schooling involves a national exam to determine eligibility for further studies.

The Seychelles offers a modest but growing higher education sector, comprising universities, polytechnics, and technical institutes. The University of Seychelles, established in 2009, is the country’s flagship tertiary institution. It provides undergraduate and postgraduate programs in fields such as education, business, tourism, and environmental studies.

The Seychelles Institute of Technology specializes in technical and vocational training in areas like engineering, information technology, and hospitality. The Seychelles Polytechnic offers two-year upper secondary programs leading to GCE A-Levels, as well as certificate and diploma courses in various disciplines, including business and visual arts. Through its collaboration with the University of Manchester (UK), it also facilitates first-year degree studies, which provides local students with pathways to further education in Europe or Africa, although scholarships remain limited.

Tertiary education institutions in Seychelles are regulated by the Seychelles Qualifications Authority (SQA), which ensures accreditation and quality assurance across programs. The higher education system continues to expand, aiming to broaden access and improve the quality and diversity of its offerings.