New $4.5 million Au Cap school ready for pupils
The new US $4.5 million primary school at Au Cap which has been funded by the Chinese Government is ready and will take around 250 pupils from the middle of next term.
The principal secretary (PS) for education Jeanne Simeon announced this yesterday after Chinese Ambassador Weng Weiguo and the PS for foreign affairs Barry Faure had signed the handing over certificate for the school at a ceremony which took place at the Maison Queau de Quinssy.
Mrs Simeon said the school has the capacity to take between 400 and 500 pupils and the 250 including crèche children due to transfer to the new school will come from Anse aux Pins and Anse Royale schools.
The PS said P6 pupils in the older schools will not be transferred so as not to disturb them as they are preparing for their national examinations. She recalled that Turkey recently donated furniture for the new school where Seychelles government is at the moment doing landscaping work.
She thanked the Chinese government for funding construction of the school, work on which started in May 2008.
Mrs Simeon said the school is spacious and very beautiful as each block has been painted differently from the rest, adding Au Cap district did not have a school before.
“The pupils are looking forward moving to the new school which will officially be opened later in the year,” she said.
She said she and Education Minister Bernard Shamlaye visited the school and were very happy with the completion of the work and all that remains now is work her ministry needs to do before pupils move in.
“We have benefitted from generous donations from China in other projects and we hope we will continue to benefit in the future,” she said.
Source: NATION 5-6-10
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China signs for gift of 10 buses worth US $0.45m
China will give Seychelles 10 buses worth a total of US $450,000 which are expected to arrive here later this year.
Chinese Ambassador Weng Weiguo and principal secretary for foreign affairs Barry Faure signed an agreement for the 30-seater buses at Maison Queau de Quinssy yesterday.
Mr Weng noted the signing took place soon after the recent bilateral talks between President James Michel and Chinese President Hu Jintao in Shanghai and continued strengthening of ties between the two friendly countries.
He noted there has been a need for more buses and hoped the donation requested through President Michel would help ease the problem.
He said technicians from one of China’s bus manufacturers were here last month to talk with the Seychelles Public Transport Corporation about the specifications the buses need to meet.
Mr Faure thanked the Chinese Government for the donation noting only last year China gave us 10 more buses.
He said the buses will be of great help, adding the public and students have expressed the need for improved bus services.
“The discussions have clearly shown there is a need for us to continue addressing the need for improved bus service in the country,” he said, adding the signing took place against the background of “the extremely fruitful talks that have taken place between our two Presidents in Shanghai”.
He said China has confirmed its interest in intensifying the excellent relations existing between the two countries allowing us to “jointly prepare for a new momentum in our relations”.
Source: NATION 5-6-10