SEYCHELLES
Society
Society
Society
State structure
Seychelles is a republic headed by a president who has a lot of political power and leads ten ministers. The president is elected for five years and can be re-elected three times. The Parliament has 34 members. There are more women in the Seychelles' parliament than anywhere else in the world. In 1992, for the first time since the coup in 1997, opposition parties were allowed again.
Seychelles is divided into 23 administrative districts.
Seychelles is a member of the British Commonwealth, the United Nations and the Organisation of African Unity (OAU). For the current political situation see History section.
Education
Since René's coup in 1977, education in the Seychelles has improved considerably. Children between the ages of three and five can attend nursery school, but this is not compulsory. Only from the age of five is school compulsory, which lasts until the age of fifteen. The primary schools have about 10,000 pupils and the secondary schools about 7,000. It is remarkable that until ±1990 children were obliged to spend a year in some kind of labour camp after finishing secondary school, mostly in the agricultural sector. The children did not see their parents for months and were taught by Cuban, Russian and Angolan teachers who propagated the ideas of Marx and Engels. The polytechnic school for commerce, technology and art in Mont Fleuri offers a number of courses that can be followed after secondary school. All classes are taught in English.
About 21% of the population is illiterate. Education is free and mainly in the hands of the Roman Catholic Church.
Sources
Carpin, S. / De Seychellen reisgids
Elmar
Houtzager, D. / Seychellen
Gottmer
Pahlen, C. von der / Seychellen
Deltas
Singh, S. / Mauritius, Réunion & Seychelles
Lonely Planet
Tingay, P. / Seychellen
Van Reemst
CIA - World Factbook
BBC - Country Profiles
Copyright: Team The World of Info