On the morning of Monday 5th May 2025, the National Assembly of Seychelles opened its doors to the first cohort of the Teacher’s Parliamentary Learning Space (TPLS), a dedicated programme for the enhancement of citizenship education aimed at Personal, Social, and Citizenship Education (PSCE) teachers governed through a Memorandum of Understanding between the National Assembly and the Ministry of Education signed in 2023. The cohort consisted of 11 teachers, including a teacher of the Deaf Centre, and Ms. Sandra Jeanne as the Focal Person from the Seychelles Institute of Teacher Education (SITE).
The TPLS was launched in a brief ceremony in which the Clerk of the National Assembly Mrs. Tania Isaac welcomed the participants and illustrated the importance of the training ahead. It was noted that one of the goals of the TPLS is the provision of up-to-date and correct information on parliamentary functions, preventing the spread of misinformation and preventing misinformed citizens.
The programme then began with a tour of the Chamber, as the heart of parliamentary proceedings, as well as a tour of the parliamentary museum which details the political history of Seychelles and the history of the National Assembly as an institution. Key topics covered during the interactive sessions included the role of MNAs, the role of the National Assembly and the National Assembly Service, the functions of Committees, and the importance of parliamentary diplomacy.
During the sessions, participants had the opportunity to partake in simulation activities, quizzes, roundtable discussions, and received live testimonies from two Honourable Members, Hon Philip Monthy and Hon Egbert Aglae. These activities were carefully designed by the TPLS Steering Committee, chaired by the Deputy Clerk, Ms Alexandria Faure and comprised of National Assembly Service Staff and Focal Person Ms. Jeanne, to engage with key parliamentary procedures in an easily digestible format, in order to aid teachers, design workplans, and plan lesson structures for PSCE.
During a feedback session, teachers expressed that the training had exceeded their expectations, provided them with in-depth knowledge on the functions of Parliament and that the desired learning outcomes had been achieved. At the certificate ceremony, the Clerk, Mrs Isaac highlighted the importance of Parliamentary engagement by sharing a powerful quote emphasising the importance of civic education suggesting that democracy is not a static system and must be continuously renewed and strengthened with each generation.
The Principal Secretary for Education Services Ms. Merna Eulentin gave a heartfelt congratulations to all participating teachers who displayed such eagerness to learn and inculcate vital information and positive values in their PSCE classrooms. Two teachers then gave a heartfelt vote of thanks, noting their appreciation of the legislature for forming this partnership with the Ministry of Education and hosting this unique workshop.
The Honourable Speaker Roger Mancienne then closed the ceremony by again congratulating the teachers and wishing them fruitful lessons in the future that create a space for children to engage with parliament. As a former educator, the Hon. Speaker shared in the values of the TPLS, particularly the importance of citizenship education. By engaging schoolchildren in national processes such as legislation, committee work, and voting creates the foundation for well-informed citizens who understand their role in politics and good governance.
