President Dr. Patrick Herminie this morning officially launched the Smart Education Initiative with the unveiling of a commemorative plaque at Anse Royale Secondary School, marking the inauguration of the school's Smart Classroom. The initiative forms part of the national celebrations commemorating the 50th Anniversary of Seychelles’ Independence.

The ceremony was attended by First Lady Mrs. Veronique Herminie, Vice President Sebastien Pillay, stakeholders, students, and invited guests.

The event commenced with a moment of reflection followed by a musical performance, symbolizing the beginning of a new era in digital learning for Seychelles.

Addressing the gathering, the Minister for Education and Human Resource Development, Mr. David Pierre, highlighted the importance of equipping students with the skills necessary to thrive in an increasingly digital and interconnected world.

He noted that beyond academic knowledge, learners must develop critical thinking, creativity, adaptability, and digital competencies to successfully navigate future challenges and opportunities. The Minister reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to strengthening the education sector through continued investment in modern learning environments and technology-enabled teaching practices.

As part of the initiative, laptops were presented to teachers of Anse Royale Secondary School. The devices will support lesson preparation, digital content development, collaboration, and the effective integration of technology into classroom instruction.

In his remarks, Principal Secretary for Education, Dr. Justin Zelime, delivered the vote of thanks and expressed appreciation to President Herminie for his leadership and vision in advancing educational transformation and expanding opportunities for Seychellois learners.

Following the official ceremony, President Herminie toured the Smart Classroom facilities, where he observed demonstrations of the technology and engaged with educators on the practical benefits of digital learning tools in enhancing student engagement and academic outcomes.

The Smart Classroom Initiative has been made possible through the longstanding partnership and friendship between the Republic of Seychelles and the People’s Republic of China. The Government acknowledged the valuable contribution of Huawei in supporting the implementation of the project, as well as Cable & Wireless Seychelles for providing the connectivity infrastructure necessary to ensure the effective delivery of digital learning services.

The initiative is currently operational in four secondary schools: Anse Royale Secondary School, Praslin Secondary School, Anse Boileau Secondary School, and Beau Vallon Secondary School. Plans are underway to expand the programme to additional schools during the next phase of implementation.

Among those present were Designated Minister Mr. Wallace Cosgrow,Leader of Government Business and Member of the National Assembly Ms. Sylvanne Lemiel, Principal Secretaries, representatives of the Chinese Embassy, representatives of Huawei and Cable & Wireless Seychelles, sponsors, students, and other distinguished guests.

The launch of the Smart Education Initiative reflects the Government’s commitment to building a modern, inclusive, and future-ready education system that empowers every learner to succeed in the digital age.