Victoria.
The Chief Justice of the Republic of Seychelles, Judge Rony Govinden has resigned.
An official statement from the Seychelles State House in Victoria informed the general public that the country’s President Dr Patrick Herminie has received the resignation of the Chief Justice of the Republic of Seychelles, Mr Rony Govinden.
The resignation of the Chief Justice was submitted in accordance with Article 131(1) (c) of the Constitution of the Republic of Seychelles.
According to the statement, the President acknowledges the Chief Justice’s service to the Judiciary and the Republic of Seychelles. He expresses his appreciation for his contribution to the administration of justice.
“In accordance with the constitutional provisions governing the appointment of an Acting Chief Justice, the Constitutional Appointments Authority (CAA) will submit to the President the names of eligible Puisne Judges for consideration.”
“The President will thereafter appoint an Acting Chief Justice to ensure continuity in the administration of justice, pending the appointment of a substantive Chief Justice…
“… The President reaffirms his commitment to upholding the independence of the Judiciary, the rule of law and the constitutional principles governing the administration of justice in Seychelles.”
In another development, the Office of the President has today announced the appointment of five Chief Executive Officers within the Culture Department, following the enactment of the Seychelles Culture, Heritage and the Arts Act, 2026.
Ms Benjamine Rose has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Seychelles Heritage Agency.
The Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development today launched its Five-Year Strategic Plan 2026–2030 and the revised National Policy for Open and Distance Learning (2026) at the Savoy Hotel.
The two instruments provide a clear roadmap for strengthening education and human resource development in Seychelles. The Five-Year Strategic Plan outlines the Ministry’s priorities for the coming years, while the revised National Policy for Open and Distance Learning seeks to expand access to more flexible and inclusive learning opportunities.
At the heart of these initiatives is the Government’s commitment to investing in its people, strengthening capacity building and ensuring that education and skills development are better aligned with the evolving needs of the labour market. The aim is to equip more Seychellois with the knowledge, skills and qualifications needed to access meaningful employment, advance professionally and contribute to the country’s economic growth.
The launch was attended by the President of the Republic, Dr Patrick Herminie; the Minister for Education and Human Resource Development, Mr David Pierre; the Minister for Social Affairs, Family and Equality, Mrs Pamela Charlotte; the Minister for Health, Dr Marvin Fanny; the Minister for Local Government and Inner Islands, Ms Eveline Rose; and the Minister for Youth and Sports, Ms Kalsey Belle, alongside the three Principal Secretaries of the Ministry of Education.
In his remarks, Minister David Pierre highlighted how artificial intelligence, technological advancements, evolving labour market demands and climate change are reshaping the way people live, work and learn. He explained that these developments informed the Ministry’s strategic direction, guided by the motto “Empowering Excellence in Education Through Digital Technology and Integrity.”
The Ministry’s vision, he added, is to “empower every learner to thrive, innovate and lead a sustainable, culturally grounded, globally connected and future-ready Seychelles.”
Addressing the revised National Policy for Open and Distance Learning, the Minister emphasised that digital transformation must go beyond administrative systems and also transform teaching and learning.
He highlighted the potential of smart classrooms, explaining how a specialist teacher based on Praslin could deliver a lesson simultaneously to students on Mahé and La Digue through interactive digital technology. This would allow learners across the islands to access the same expertise, participate in lessons and benefit from learning opportunities that might otherwise be unavailable in their schools.
“The sea that separates our islands should never become a barrier to the knowledge that connects our people,” he said, stressing that technology can help extend the expertise of specialist teachers to more learners, particularly in schools where such resources are limited.
Before the formal handover of the two instruments, the Director General for Planning, Research and Data Management, Mrs Rosy Anna Jules, gave a presentation on the Five-Year Strategic Plan, outlining its expected benefits for learners, educational institutions and the country as a whole.
This was followed by a presentation by the Director for Research, Planning and Policy Development, Ms Gilliane Philoe, who focused on the revised National Policy for Open and Distance Learning (2026). She highlighted the importance of expanding learning opportunities beyond young students to also include adults, parents and young professionals seeking to pursue further education and improve their qualifications.
As part of the ceremony, the two instruments were formally presented to the three branches of government: the Executive, the Legislature and the Judiciary. Students representing Mahé, Praslin and La Digue presented the documents, which were received by President Herminie.
The programme also featured a traditional dance performance by students of Beau Vallon Primary School, followed by a musical performance from the Seychelles Institute of Teacher Education (SITE) choir.
The choir concluded the ceremony with “Anmenn Mwan,” originally performed by David André and Jany De Letourdie.
