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🇸🇨 Seychelles

Education

Seychelles has a functional public education system with English and French as languages of instruction. For expat families, the International School Seychelles (ISS) on Mahé offers a UK-style curriculum up to A-Level and is COBIS accredited.

1,100+

ISS Students

2025/26 academic year

UK National

Curriculum

IGCSE & A-Level

~$7,500

Annual Fees (ISS)

Primary school

Free

Public Schools

English & French instruction

Overview

Seychelles has a functional public education system with English and French as languages of instruction. For expat families, the International School Seychelles (ISS) on Mahé offers a UK-style curriculum up to A-Level and is COBIS accredited. Options are limited compared to larger countries, but quality at ISS is good and improving.

Key Takeaways

  • Location: Mont Fleuri, Mahé — central and accessible from most parts of the island
  • L'École Française (French School): follows the French national curriculum; located on Mahé
  • Free public schooling: pre-primary through secondary (age 3–18)
1

International School Seychelles (ISS)

The International School Seychelles is the primary choice for expat families. Located on Mahé, ISS follows the UK National Curriculum and offers IGCSE (Years 10–11) and A-Level (Years 12–13) qualifications. The school achieved COBIS accreditation, placing it on the global map for British international education. Enrollment has grown to approximately 1,100 students in the 2025/26 academic year.

  • Location: Mont Fleuri, Mahé — central and accessible from most parts of the island
  • Curriculum: UK National Curriculum from Early Years through A-Level
  • Qualifications: IGCSE and A-Level — internationally recognised for university entry
  • COBIS accredited: the first school in Seychelles to achieve this recognition
  • Enrollment: ~1,100 students (2025/26); both Seychellois and international students
  • Annual fees: approximately SCR 122,000 ($7,500) for primary; higher for secondary
  • Apply early: waiting lists are common — submit applications 6–12 months in advance
2

Other Private Schools

Beyond ISS, Seychelles has a small number of private schools offering alternative curricula and approaches. Options are limited but growing as the expat population increases.

  • L'École Française (French School): follows the French national curriculum; located on Mahé
  • The Independent School: private school on Mahé offering an alternative to the public system
  • Vijay International School Praslin: the only private school on Praslin; educates up to A-Level
  • Homeschooling: legal in Seychelles and increasingly chosen by expat families, particularly on Praslin and La Digue
  • Online schooling: platforms like Pearson Online Academy and ICS are used by nomad families
3

Public Education System

Seychelles' public education system provides free schooling from pre-primary through secondary level. Instruction is bilingual in English and French, with Creole used in early years. The system is adequate and produces good literacy rates (96%+), though resources and class sizes may not meet expectations of expats from developed countries.

  • Free public schooling: pre-primary through secondary (age 3–18)
  • Languages of instruction: English and French (bilingual system); Creole in early years
  • Literacy rate: 96%+ — one of the highest in Africa
  • National curriculum: set by the Ministry of Education; differs from international standards
  • Class sizes: 25–35 students typical in public schools
  • School year: January to mid-December with breaks in April, August, and December
  • Tertiary: University of Seychelles offers some degree programs; most students go abroad for university
FAQs

Common Questions — Education in Seychelles

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