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Highlights from the Innovation for Inclusion conference

matsdeutschmann

Multilingual education (MLE) was a central theme of the recent symposium in the Seychelles titled ‘Innovation for Inclusion’. The symposium was hosted by the University of Seychelles (UniSey) and the Seychelles Institute of Teacher Education (SITE) in collaboration with the MLE in sub-Saharan Africa network and the Seychelles Ministry of Education.

Our conference highlights

MLE was also the subject of presentations by Prof. Mats Deutschmann (Örebro University) and Dr. Anthony Essien (University of Witswatersrand). Mats argued the case for Kreol Studies to be included in the secondary school curriculum. Anthony got us all thinking about the affordances of African languages for the teaching and learning of mathematics through an engaging presentation on multilingual education in South African primary schools.


For us, as visitors from Tanzania and the UK, the symposium was an opportunity to learn about education in the Seychelles, most especially through presentations from school leaders and staff in the Ministry of Education.  It is well known that Seychelles is a leader in the East African region with respect to the SDG4 targets. Amina Afif’s presentation explained how the Ministry of Education is facilitating school leaders’ autonomy to drive quality improvement. Amina’s presentation reminded us of the importance of local ownership and the need to empower teachers to employ the pedagogy that works best for learners. This autonomy was demonstrated in presentations by Maria May Adrienne and Andre Servina, who had each conducted systematic inquiries to address underachievement in their respective secondary schools.


One of the most thought-provoking discussions at the conference centred around the language of instruction. The debate voiced critical concerns about the balance between global languages, like English, and local languages in education. Many attendees questioned which language should take precedence in the classroom. While English is often seen as the gateway to global opportunities, local languages offer a deep connection to culture and can foster greater engagement for learners. There was a broad agreement that although English is regarded as an important global language, local languages hold cultural significance and offer deeper engagement for learners.


This conversation goes beyond simple language preference-it touches on issues of equity, identity, and accessibility in education. Should schools and universities focus on teaching in global languages to boost competitiveness on the world stage? Or should they embrace local languages to preserve cultural identity and ensure learning is accessible to all? It’s a challenging dilemma that education systems around the world need to thoughtfully balance, especially in multicultural and multilingual settings.


The presentation by the Seychelles Tourism Academy (STA), delivered by Mosianne Dugasse and Brigitte Joubert, highlighted the importance of learning more languages for students in the tourism sector. In today’s interconnected world, the ability to communicate in multiple languages is becoming increasingly vital, especially in industries like tourism. At the Seychelles Tourism Academy (STA), the importance of language learning is emphasized as a cornerstone for preparing future tourism professionals. Learning languages beyond one's native tongue is not just about enhancing communication; it’s about enriching cultural understanding and providing better services to international visitors.


Thanks to the organisers

We extend heartfelt thanks to all the members of the organising committee for all the hard work that went into bring us all together on World Teachers’ Day: Ronia, Reuben, Vicky , Mavis, Jean-Marc and Patsy.  The event would not have been possible without the tireless IT support from Solo and his team. Our special thanks go to Mats Deutschmann and Christine Pejakovic (Director of UniSey’s Education and Socio-Economic Research Institute), who went out of their way to make us feel welcome in the Seychelles.


Watch this space!

Papers from the Innovation for Inclusion Symposium will be published next year in a Special Issue of the Seychelles Research Journal. Watch out for news of the launch at languagesupportive.com.





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