ISS

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

For further details about any of these posts please e-mail Martin Kennedy at admin@internationalschool.sc.

THERE ARE CURRENTLY NO VACANT POSITIONS AT THE ISS

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

Periodically there are job opportunities at The International School which are listed locally in the Seychelles Nation and internationally in the Times Educational Supplement and www.tesjobs.co.uk. Expatriate positions would normally be listed in Dec/Jan.

INFORMATION ON LIVING AND WORKING IN THE SEYCHELLES

This document contains some basic guidelines to teachers interested in employment at the International School Seychelles.

Introduction

Seychelles is best known in Europe as an exclusive and expensive long-haul holiday destination. It has a reputation for fine hotels, beautiful beaches and an agreeable climate. All of this is true, but in common with most locations Seychelles also has disadvantages for the prospective expatriate employee. The purpose of this document is to provide accurate, honest and up-to-date information to enable teachers considering applying for a position in Seychelles to make an informed decision as to whether to proceed or not.

(Although the republic comprises more than 100 islands for the purpose of this document for Seychelles read 'Mahé', the principal island, most heavily populated and the location of The International School).

The ‘Down Side’

The disadvantages can be summarised as follows:

1. Limited availability of foreign exchange.
   
   Since most items required by the inhabitants need to be imported the Seychelles has had, for some time, foreign exchange requirements that cannot be fully serviced by the inflows of ‘hard’ currency, mostly through tourism revenue. It is difficult for foreign workers to repatriate money on a regular basis. Consequently, if you know that you are going to need to convert a significant proportion of your salary (which is payable in Seychelles Rupees) to GB Pounds or US Dollars, then Seychelles is probably not the place for you.
    
2. Salary levels are not the best in the world and certainly can not rival, say, Kuwait.
   
   However, you may feel that, having researched the options, that Seychelles is a nicer place to live... A typical expatriate teacher with a degree and QTS or PGCE, or holding a BEd, will, depending on experience, earn about 30% less than the equivalent UK salary. This is paid tax-free, but is subject to 5% social security. Health insurance is provided by the school.
   
   In addition we provide good quality private-sector accommodation (no compounds!) and you have the option to select your own property (we want you to be happy with your house or flat). Currently some teachers live near, or in one case on the beach. Others prefer accommodation in the hills and mountains that rise steeply from the coastal areas in the north of the island.
   
   Teachers are responsible for their own utility bills. (see below)
   
   Outward and end of contract return flights are provided for the teacher only, and a baggage allowance of 50kgs of personal effects is provided by the school in addition to any ticket-linked allocation. A teacher’s professional materials are shipped at the school’s expense.
   
   Contracts are initially for two years and are renewable subject to performance. There is a gratuity payment for each year of completed service paid at the end of the contract regardless of whether the teacher renews contract. It is not carried forward. Most expatriates stay for four years, with some remaining for considerably longer.
    
3. The cost of living in the Seychelles is generally higher than in the UK. Although there are exceptions to the rule.
   
   In particular the cost of cars is very steep. A standard Toyota saloon car, 5 or 6 years old, or similar, will cost in excess of SR90,000. A Mini Moke will cost about SR25,000. This is due to the extremely high import duty charged on cars, and the fact that for some years it has only been permissible to import new vehicles. The second-hand market is ridiculously buoyant.
   
   Some teachers overcome the problem by borrowing most of the purchase price and, at the end of contract repaying any loan balance from the proceeds of the sale of the car. Incredibly the value of your car tends to rise whilst you own it. Naturally this situation is subject to changes in the same economic factors that led to it in the first place.
   
   Although there is a good bus service in terms of coverage and price, the regularity of the service leaves a lot to be desired and buses stop running at about 7.30pm. A car is, therefore, highly desirable, not to say essential, particularly if you are to make the most of the island.
    
4. Electricity costs are on a sliding scale, so if you use a lot then the (monthly) bills can be expensive. Water is fairly cheap. Car and house contents insurance are reasonable compared to the UK and a bargain if you’re used to London prices. Be sure to bring evidence of no claims bonuses in order to qualify for substantial discounts on premium. There are no service charges (such as council tax or similar).
    
5. The cost of food varies. The importation and pricing of ‘essential’ commodities is controlled by SMB (the Seychelles Marketing Board). Since July 2003 a new tax, GST, has been levied on most items and services. This has led to an increase in the cost of living of between 10 and 17 percent, compared `with the previous year.
    
6. Certain items are readily available and are no more expensive than in the UK. These include fresh fish, some meats, rice, bread, fruit juice, tea, soft drinks, bottled water, fresh fruit and vegetables, milk and certain tinned goods such as tomatoes.
   
   Other imported goods can be very expensive and are not always readily available. Fresh meat is roughly as follows: chicken breast SR 55 per kilo, pork is a little more. A (frozen) leg of lamb will retail at about SR 120. Mince, cubed steak etc are about SR 65 per kilo. The quality is very good. For obvious reasons fresh fish is plentiful and affordable.
   
   Alcohol is expensive. Local beer (brewed by Guinness) includes a lager, Bavarian brew, and Guinness itself, and costs about SR 12-14 per bottle. Wine is expensive, at least SR 75 a bottle, but the quality (its mostly from SA, Australia and France) is excellent. Spirits are very expensive. Expect to pay SR 250+ for a bottle of whiskey or gin.
   
   Generally, bearing in mind that accommodation (normally the major budget item in the UK) is provided, it is possible to live reasonably well on the salary paid and many teachers with property to let in the UK find that they can create income which off-sets the forex problems described earlier.
    
7. Electrical goods, car parts, computer parts, mobile phones etc are expensive items. They are also expensive to repair as parts are costly, however labour costs are low here, so a trip to the mechanic will often see the bill for parts greatly exceeding the labour charge – often the opposite is the case in the UK.
   
   Petrol is SR 7.8 per litre.
    
8. Security. Whilst crime against the person is virtually unheard of (and when it does take place it is invariably domestic) property crime is on the increase. In some parts of the island house-breaking is common, with vacant houses being particular targets.
   
   However Seychelles remains a very safe place to live. We do have teachers who have been burgled when they have been out in the evening, some more than once, particularly those living in properties without close neighbours. To put this in perspective such incidents are still uncommon, and much can be done to prevent thieves getting away with your possessions.
   
   Many residents keep a dog for security, others prefer physical security systems such as burglar bars. During this calendar year I am aware of two burglaries in the homes of teachers employed at the school. We employ 40 teachers.

The ‘Up’ Side

1. Travel, time-out, weekends away etc.
   
   Mahé is a convenient location from which to explore Asia, Africa and the Indian Ocean area. I am not aware of any expatriate (or Seychellois for that matter) who has visited every island in the Seychelles group. Most comfortably visited from Mahé are the islands of Praslin (second largest in terms of population) and La Digue (third). Nearer islands such as Cerf and Round can be visited for lunch (for example a boat trip to Round island inclusive of excellent buffet lunch will cost about SR 220 per head). This is a whole day trip, very popular on a Sunday.
   
   Like most excursions you benefit greatly by being a resident (you have a national identity card which means that you a) pay in local currency for things like inter-island ferries and flights, and b) pay a LOT less than tourists. A return 15 min each way flight from Mahé to Praslin will cost about SR 280, with a crossing to La Digue another SR 50 for the ferry.
   
   The following destinations are easily reached for vacation from Mahé: Maldives, India, South Africa, Kenya, Dubai, Singapore, Reunion, Mauritius and Madagascar.
    
2. Environment.
   
   Seychelles is one of the most beautiful places on the planet. Mahé itself is stunning, with the beaches among the cleanest in the world (the Seychelles government has strong environmental protection policies). There are extremely low pollution levels.
    
3. Professional.
   
   The consensus view is that the children at the ISS are generally delightful, and teachers enjoy the comparative lack of stress relating to, say, discipline matters. Teachers are appreciated by students and their families. The school is very friendly – a community school in all but name.
   
   We are over-subscribed in all sections of the school. 65% of our students are Seychellois, with the following countries well represented in the expatriate cohort: GB, India, Sri Lanka, America, South Africa and China. In all there are students from 25 countries attending the school.
   
   Despite the foreign exchange problems mentioned earlier the school is well-resourced, with regularly up-dated text books, a good computer network, electronic library, excellent hall lighting and sound systems etc. Many classrooms and labs are fully air-conditioned. All teaching accommodation is purpose built, most of it within the last 10 years. Our largest building was completed in 2000.
   
   It is important that the school runs efficiently, but we try to avoid a plethora of paperwork. In essence, if documentation does not impact positively upon the students in some way then it is unlikely to be used at the ISS.
   
   There is a professional development programme, which can include overseas or distance learning for teachers, subject to the availability of foreign currency. Further details about the professional life of the school can be found on this web site.
    
4. Social life.
   
   On Mahé there are good restaurants, excellent hotels (open to non-residents) night clubs/discos and casinos. You can find and use all the usual tourist-related facilities – scuba, fishing, sailing, wind-surfing etc.
   
   The expatriate community is, like the place, fairly laid-back. You can opt in or opt out of a fairly active social agenda.
   
   Seychellois are very friendly and welcoming people and most employees take the opportunity to enjoy both local and expatriate friendship groups (in fact the two blend rather more than in many other parts of the world.)
    

If, having read this document you have any specific questions which cannot be answered by either the web site or general Seychelles web sites (see Google) then please feel free to e-mail me on admin@internationalschool.sc. I will be happy to answer your questions as rapidly and as honestly as I can.

Martin Kennedy
Head teacher