Seychelles Secondary 1 Curriculum - History

Seychelles' history is intertwined with its geography, location in the western Indian Ocean, and colonial past.

Early History

The Seychelles archipelago was uninhabited until the 18th century. Europeans, Indians, and enslaved Africans arrived, shaping the islands' demographics and culture.

Colonial Period

France formally annexed Seychelles in 1756, naming it Séchelles after a French finance minister. Following the Napoleonic Wars, the islands were ceded to Great Britain in 1814. Seychelles remained a British colony until its independence in 1976.

Education in Seychelles

Formal education was limited until the mid-19th century when Catholic and Anglican churches established mission schools. These missions played a significant role in secondary education, with the Seychelles College (originally an all-boys' school, opened in 1947) run by the Roman Catholic mission and the Regina Mundi Convent (a girls' school, opened in 1957) run by the Anglican mission. These two schools are considered the foundation of the modern education system in Seychelles.

Post-Independence Era

Several key events shaped Seychelles after independence:

• 1972: The official opening of the International Airport.
• 1976: Independence from British rule.
• 1977: A coup d'état.
• 1981: Educational reforms.
• 1993: The establishment of a multi-party system.
• 2008: Economic reforms.
• 2016: National Assembly Elections.

Culture and People

Seychellois culture is a blend of African, European, and Asian influences. The Creole language, granted official status in 1981, reflects this diverse heritage.