The A-level results are out and students have once again been told that those aspiring to take up law and medicine need straight A(s).
This is seen as a way of discouraging young Seychellois from the law profession. It is argued by the Ministry of Education that there are too many lawyers in the country.
In the past, there was no such requirement and many of our lawyers today, who obtained B or C, eventually made it successfully at universities abroad. Some of them today have flourishing practices.
Yet, the regulations are bended to suit some people including expatriates. While only Seychellois students who have schooled in the country may qualify for government scholarships that is not always the case.
We know of people who had lived and schooled in
As for medicine, those getting straight A(s) are still being sent to a poor quality university in
Hardly any A-level graduate have taken medicine since the policy of sending medical students to India came into effect three years ago. A few have tried to make it on their own, depending on great sacrifices from their parents. It is sad, but such students, who have been abandoned, may never return to
As from 1st March 2008, SMB will no longer exist as a commercial entity. This will be replaced by four companies as announced by government at the end of 2007.
(1)
(2)Coetivy Prawns
(3)Seychelles Agro Industries Company
(4)
As a result all current employees of SMB (Seychellois) will be made redundant and paid outstanding leave, compensation and gratuity due.
The Seychelles Trading Company which will be involved in imports, retail, exports, value added and manufacturing and will recruit from existing SMB employees.
The current employees of the other three organisations will be employed on a contract basis, until the new strategic partners and management companies take over the operations.
As a result of these changes, a certain number of employees will be made redundant. The government through the Ministry of Employment will assist these employees to be placed in the private sector by introducing a retraining programme for jobs that are available, eg, tourism, manufacturing, etc. A person on this programme will continue to earn the same salary as at SMB for a maximum period of four months.
There are also a number of employees who are 55 years and above can opt to retire and will be entitled to their pension and may seek re-employment with the private sector.
The Seychelles Marketing Board takes this opportunity to thank all its employees for their years of service.