Digital School Seychelles launches new teacher training phase
The Digital School Seychelles initiative has launched a new phase of its teacher preparation programme, aiming to train about 100 teachers across 11 schools, officials said. The programme, implemented by the Digital School in partnership with the Government Knowledge Exchange Office of the UAE and the Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development of the Republic of Seychelles, expands digital education capacity on the islands.
Who is involved and where the programme will operate
The expansion is led by the Digital School, a project of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, working with the UAE Government Knowledge Exchange Office and Seychelles’ Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development. The rollout covers 11 public schools and complements earlier phases that raised the total number of Seychelles teachers benefiting from the Digital School programmes to 395, the ministry stated.
Programme goals and strategic objectives
The programme aims to equip Seychellois teachers with practical skills to use modern digital education tools and platforms in classroom settings. According to officials, the effort seeks to foster sustainable, practice-based knowledge transfer that supports wider digital transformation in Seychelles’ education sector. Furthermore, the initiative aligns with national priorities to improve learning quality and prepare students for a technology-driven future.
How the training is delivered and key components
Training will be delivered through a blended model combining hands-on workshops with flexible online learning. The foundational “Onboarding” course focuses on navigating the digital learning platform, accessing teaching resources, and meeting basic digital literacy requirements. Additionally, a follow-up course titled “Teaching in the Digital Classroom within an Online Learning Environment” targets classroom management techniques and effective use of digital tools in synchronous and asynchronous settings.
DEGA and multilingual capacity building
The training is provided through the Global Academy for the Digital Teacher (DEGA), described by organisers as one of the largest multilingual teacher training initiatives worldwide. DEGA programmes are offered in seven languages and, officials say, have benefited roughly 40,000 teachers across more than 40 countries. The Seychelles programme leverages this experience to deliver context-appropriate professional development and promote scalable teacher training.
Partnership rationale and government knowledge exchange
UAE officials framed the partnership as part of a broader Government Knowledge Exchange strategy launched in 2018 to transfer best practices and build institutional capacity abroad. Mohammad bin Taliaa, Assistant Minister for Cabinet Affairs for Government Knowledge Exchange, said the collaboration reflects the UAE’s approach to international cooperation and knowledge sharing in digital education and human capacity development. The office seeks targeted partnerships that generate measurable improvements in public services and quality of life.
Local education leadership and expected impact
Dr. Justin Zilim, Secretary General for General Education and Curriculum at Seychelles’ Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development, described the Digital School programmes as timely for national efforts to raise education standards. He said the training will support teachers in integrating technology effectively, widen learning opportunities, and help reduce educational disparities. Meanwhile, Dr. Waleed Al Ali, Secretary General of the Digital School, emphasised that teachers are central to sustained educational change and noted the school’s commitment to equipping educators with the tools they need.
Scale, accreditation and international reach
The Digital School, launched in November 2020 by the leadership of Dubai, is presented as the first internationally accredited digital school of its type and focuses on expanding flexible learning options for underserved communities. The initiative reports more than 850,000 beneficiaries in over 40 countries and academic accreditation from NEASC in the United States, according to organisational releases. Officials say these credentials support trust and facilitate partnerships with governments and international organisations.
Implications for Seychelles and regional digital education
Observers note that the teacher training expansion could accelerate classroom adoption of digital education tools and contribute to broader workforce preparedness. Teacher training and professional development are often cited as critical enablers of successful digital education reforms, and the Seychelles programme is designed to create classroom-ready educators who can sustain technology use beyond project timelines. Additionally, the initiative may serve as a model for neighbouring island states exploring similar partnerships.
What to watch next
The immediate next step is the delivery of the onboarding and digital classroom courses to the selected cohort of 100 teachers, with progress monitored by both UAE and Seychelles officials. Stakeholders will likely report on participation rates, teacher readiness metrics, and early classroom implementations in periodic updates. Readers should watch for follow-up announcements on measurable outcomes and any plans to expand to additional schools or integrate new modules into the teacher professional development pathway.
In conclusion, the Digital School Seychelles phase aims to strengthen teacher capacity in digital education through a structured, multilingual training programme delivered in partnership with UAE knowledge exchange mechanisms and Seychelles’ education authorities. The programme’s success will be assessed by how effectively trained teachers translate online training into improved classroom practice and student readiness for future digital demands.
