In support of the National Theme launched by the National Theme Steering Committee, the Institute of Early childhood Development, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development, has seized the opportunity to initiate a project for the children under the National Theme. This competition provides a platform for the children to showcase their talents and skills through creative songs about Seychelles.
Following the launch in June 2018, a half-day workshop was organised to equip teachers with knowledge and skills on the technical aspects of song composition, music arrangement techniques, performance of children in readiness for the elimination rounds. This was facilitated by Mr. Raymond Clarisse whose input was well appreciated by the participants. The elimination took place on Tuesday 18th September on Mahé and on Wednesday 19th September on Praslin. Out of twenty-four schools which participated, eleven qualified for the final.
The final show for the Song Competition on the National Theme: Sesel mon pei beni was held on Sunday 11th November 2018. This competition was held in a packed International Conference Centre (ICCS) among whom were the Minister for Education and Human Resource Development, Mrs, Jeanne Simeon, the principal secretary for Social Affairs, Mrs. Linda William-Melanie, Principal Secretary for Youth and Sports, Mr. Fabian Palmyre, the Chief Executive Officer of the IECD, Mrs. Shirley Choppy, the chairperson of the National Theme Steering Committee, Mr. Jude Fred, sponsors, other guests, parents, teachers and members of the public. There were eleven schools in the final out of the 24 primary schools which participated at the beginning. They were Anse Aux Pins, Anse Etoile, Bel Ombre, Baie Lazare, Cascade, Grand Anse Praslin, Glacis, Independent school, La Digue, Perseverance North Primary and Takamaka.
Baie Lazare primary school is the grand winner of the song competition. They impressed both the jury panel and the public to win both first prize and the Audience Choice Award with their song entitled ‘Benediksyon en paradi inik’. As first prize and Audience choice award the Baie Lazare pupils won an Acer Aspire 3 notebook each sponsored by the Chairperson of the IECD Board, Captain David Savy , educational books, stationery bag and gift pack of stationeries sponsored by the Institute of Early Childhood Development (IECD) and a donation of paint for the school from Penlac PTY LTD.
Second prize which was a Samsung Galaxy Tablet Lite sponsored Captain David Savy and educational books sponsored by IECD went to Cascade Primary School with their song, ‘Mon pei’ and third prize which was a Collins English Dictionary and story books sponsored by the Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development and Four Yamaha Recorders sponsored by Abhaye Valabhji PTY LTD was won by Grand Anse Praslin primary school with their song, ‘Sesel nou zoli pti pei’.
The show, which also saw the participation of other artists and dance groups, was directed by well known artistic director, Mr. Raymond Clarisse. A note of thanks is extended to everyone who has helped in one way or another in the execution of the Song Competition.
