The Seychelles Institute of Distance & Open Learning (SIDOL) evolved from the School of Continuing Education of Seychelles Polytechnic in 2000. Its main purpose is to facilitate access to education and lifelong learning for out-of-school youths and adults seeking upgrading, training, life skills and enhancing opportunities for employment. The programmes delivered by SIDOL are normally part-time (mainly in the evenings and on Saturdays), and they can also be through open and distance learning. SIDOL endeavours to offer programmes that are learner centred, enabling learners to set their own goals and helping them build the confidence to achieve them.