HISTORY REVISITED
10th October 1979 – Thousands of school children of all ages downed pen and paper to march in streets of Victoria to protest the creation of the National Youth Service (NYS) – a programme designed by the President France Albert Rene to take them from their parents at the age of 16 to “lock” them up for two years at an education camp modelled on the one in communist Cuba. The historical event was recorded by the newspaper “Weekend Life” in its issue of 13th October which we have reproduced below. Within one month the editor of independent newspaper, the late Bernard Verlague, was arrested and detained without charge or trial for nine months. Weekend life was proscribed by presidential decree.
STUDENTS MARCH SPARKS OFF RIOT
A full scale riot nearly developed yesterday afternoon as demonstrators went on the rampage in Victoria. And the police and army had to be called in to keep order.
The near riot followed two days of demonstration by students who were protesting against the Government’s proposed National Youth Service scheme. But according to a statement broadcast by Radio Seychelles, the authorities blamed certain adults for “committing sabotage.”
As the demonstrators got into a frenzy, they set up road blocks in some streets and it had to be cleared by soldiers. Shop windows were smashed and looting followed. And one Indian shop at the junction of Albert Street and Market street was set on fire and a man was seriously injured. Fortunately the fire was quickly put out. A government owned car which had been parked near Tobruk Club at Freedom Square was overturned and set on fire. The Fire Brigade was quickly on the scene and the fire extinguished.
Another government truck had it’s windscreen and lights smashed and it was left abandoned in the centre of Victoria thus blocking traffic. The demonstrators also got hold of rolls of toilet paper and marched through streets littering the streets. The scene after looked like the aftermath of a carnival.
At one point police had to use tear gas to disperse a group of demonstrators in Olivier Maradan Street. As a result of the fracas all shops and offices in Victoria had to be closed and employees were advised to return home. The police and armed soldiers were soon on the streets chasing demonstrators and urging people to go home.
Early in the morning the students were out on the streets for the second day running to protest against the National Youth Service. Carrying placards and chanting “we don’t want” and “we didn’t ask for NYS”, the students marched to the Ministry of Education at La Bastille where they were addressed by the Principal Secretary of the Ministry Mr. Jeremy Bonnelame. Mr. Bonnelame suggested that the students should send representatives to discuss with government but this offer was turned down. They also refused to listen to the Commissioner of Police, Mr. James Pillay.
The students then returned to Victoria marching to the gates of State House demanding to see the President. They did not see the President, whereupon they assembled around the clock tower almost bringing traffic to a standstill. And any government vehicle which went by was stopped and subjected to rough treatment.
The students then marched towards Mont Fleuri, stopping at 5th June Avenue, where some tried to bring down the statue of “Zhomme Libre”. They ended up at the Brewery and Seybake at Le Rocher where they helped themselves to drinks and bread and cakes. Along the way to Le Rocher many vehicles, including some Tata buses, had their windscreens smashed. And a few people were injured during the melee.
The students later assembled on the College football field where they were addressed by the Minister of Political Organisation, Mr. Guy Sinon. Minister Sinon told them that the National Youth Service would not be compulsory and that those who were not willing to join would be allowed to continue their schooling.
Later a College student told “Life” that he wanted to refute allegations that some College teachers had organized the protest. He promised that should teachers be harmed the students would react strongly.
The President, Mr. Rene, has denied that government has taken final decision on the National Service scheme saying no decision can be taken until it has been considered by everyone in