DILI, 8 July 2020 (TATOLI) – Timor-Leste Prime Minister Taur Matan Ruak is worried, with the plan of reopening of schools for students in all territories, as schools have not been opened for three months due to the State of Emergency. This concern has made clear by the Prime Minister during his Audience with the Vice Minister of Education António Guterres.
“We should make an effort to normalize all the learning processes, and we are optimistic that both public and private schools will be fully opened by this month” Vice-Minister Guterres said.
Mr. Guterres said there is no more political deadlock, and it is now necessary to concentrate on priority programs to develop the education sector.
Currently, a total of 947 schools ranging from kindergarten to Public and Technical high schools are reopened, while 855 remains close.
Thus, the pandemic’s ever-shifting nature has robbed school districts of the ability to plan with certainty, not only their classes but also how to provide protective equipment and keep a clean sanitized environment.
Journalist: Tome Amado
Editor: Nicholas Kettle/Agapito dos Santos
Translation: Nelia Borges Rosario
