Institute of Early Childhood Development (IECD)/ UNESCO Category 2 institute held a press conference yesterday morning in collaboration with the Department of Information Communications Technology (DICT) following the launch of the Child Care Benefit Information System Seychelles (CBISS). The press conference aimed to discuss the implications and updates on the newly launched website, an online platform designed to streamline the administration of the government’s financial assistance scheme for child care services, providing a more efficient and user-friendly experience for service providers and parents.
The following representatives of the IECD/UNESCO Category 2 Institute: Mrs. Shirley Choppy, CEO, Ms. Laurette Lebon, Project Officer, Ms. Aline Bibi, Senior Accountant and others were present at the event. The CBISS platform is accessible from desktops, laptops, and mobile devices, supporting the entire child registration process, document submission, and payment administration. To date, 92% of the 2,280 registered parents have successfully registered on the platform; Mrs. Choppy expressed that she is very satisfied with these numbers but encourages the final few childminders and daycare operators to register and ensure they receive their financial aid assistance.
“Each registered institution underneath our portfolio is granted SCR 750 per child cared for; the remaining 8% must also register to receive their finances,” she explained. Mr. Louis explained that on the part of DICT, the initiative helps progress towards the government’s Digital Economy Agenda, which emphasises the pivotal role of digital technologies and innovation in driving economic diversification and boosting productivity in Seychelles. To register in the system, Ms. Lebon specified that child carers must first upload a logo or profile picture. Additionally, they must provide a business registration certificate, a valid Identity Card, a Certificate of Registration for Child Minders, a license for child care managers, upload bank details, and provide their contact information. “If any of our caregivers are struggling to register, they can forward their documentation to us, and we can register for them; this procedure should not take long, given you have all your necessary information,” she commented.
Ms. Sarah highlighted that parents have until the 8th of every month to register their children with the financial service to receive money for that month. Furthermore, if parents are transferring their children to the supervision of another child carer or cancelling their services, they must undergo the transfer or cancellation procedures between the 10th and the 30th of that month. Prior to its launch, the financial assistance scheme managed by IECD relied on manual processes, which were cumbersome and logistically challenging. The new digital platform marks a transformative shift towards a more streamlined and accessible system. It allows parents, guardians, and childcare service providers to register and manage their information online, significantly reducing the administrative burden.
As the CBISS platform continues to evolve, future updates and enhancements are planned to improve its functionality and user experience further. The successful implementation of CBISS is a clear indication of Seychelles’ commitment to leveraging digital solutions for better public service delivery. The official launch occurred at the IECD Head Office, Ile Perseverance. It was attended by representatives from IECD, the Ministry of Finance, National Planning and Trade, and DICT. The event highlighted the CBISS platform’s role in enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of early childhood care and education (ECCE) service delivery in Seychelles.
“CBISS is a testament to local innovation and collaboration,” said Principal Secretary of DICT, Mr. Benjamin Choppy on the day of the official launch. “The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the need for digital transformation in Seychelles, and the CBISS project is a key component of our Digital Economy Agenda. It aligns with the Tashkent Declaration’s call for increased use of ICT in ECCE and supports our national drive for digitalization.” Mr. Mirlay Choppy, Chief Executive Officer of IECD, emphasised the platform’s importance in enhancing service delivery: “CBISS simplifies the administration of our existing financial assistance scheme, making it easier for parents and child care providers to manage registrations and payments. This online platform is a major step forward in our efforts to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of our services.”
Courtesy: J. Marie (Today Publishers)
