The International School is pleased to announce that the institution is entering into a wide-ranging sponsorship agreement with Vijay Construction.
The agreement will involve both the existing Mahe school, which has been in operation since 1969, and the new International School currently being constructed on Praslin and due to open in September of this year.
Mr Vijay Patel has, for many years, supported education in Seychelles as well as sponsoring a number of other important initiatives primarily designed to promote sport and culture in the country. This new agreement with the International School represents both a consolidation and extension of Mr Patel’s commitment to ‘putting something back’ into the community within which his core businesses continue to flourish.
‘This agreement will have a positive impact on every student attending both International School campuses’ Mr Patel stated, also confirming that the support will include construction and donation, initially for a period of three years. Vijay Construction will continue to fund the annual Vijay Scholarship Scheme, and, to complete a strong portfolio of altruistic support for education, the company is also involved in negotiations with the Seychelles University Foundation to explore ways in which Vijay Construction can assist in the realisation of this key national project.
Mrs Horner and Mr Patel and pictured signing the sponsorship agreement which comes into immediate effect
Head teacher of the International School, Martin Kennedy, praised Mr Patel for what he described as his ‘typically visionary and generous approach to supporting a wide range of educational and social projects.’ He went on to say ‘Vijay Construction’s involvement with the International School goes back many years but this new and substantial sponsorship agreement will help us to continue to offer a high quality and well-resourced education without compromise at a time of increasing pressure on existing financial resources.’
Mrs Fabiola Horner, the Chair of the school’s governing body, announced that the new Praslin school would carry Mr Patel’s name and would be called The Vijay International School Praslin. She stated that it is important to note that Mr Patel’s involvement remains that of a sponsor and that Vijay Construction will donate rather than invest. There will be no return for the company in any way, and the school will remain, on both sites, a not-for-profit institution owned by the parents’ association.
The new Praslin school will offer a British-style curriculum for children aged three years to ten years. It has been designed by Joanne Pragassen, and will feature first rate accommodation and resources, including fully air-conditioned classrooms, electronic library, landscaped grounds with a swimming pool and an innovative food court. Mrs Sarah Morgan, formerly Head of the Junior Section at the International School Mahe will return to Seychelles later this year to take on the role of Head of the school and oversee final preparations for the opening. Mr Neil Morgan will manage the Early Years section of the school.
Mr Kennedy confirmed that the intention is to match the quality of the curriculum delivery in both schools and also to maintain a common fee structure, something which Mr Patel is keen to realise in order to avoid Praslin parents being charged higher fees than their Mahe counterparts.
