DILI, 23 february 2021 (TATOLI)- The Embassy of Japan in Timor-Leste provides US$181.690 to the Government of Timor-Leste with the support amounting US$90,909 for Roof rehabilitation of Dom Bosco Technical school Fatumaca Baucau municipality and US$90,781 for construction of the school building for EBF fatulaun Manatutu municipality.
Speaking shortly after the ceremony, Ambassador of Japan to Timor-Leste, KINEFUCHI masahi said, with the support amounting US$181,69 this project will improve the educational environment for Timorese students.
Thus he appreciates Dom Bosco Fatumaca and Leobalu Foundation for their efforts to prepare the projects and asked their further efforts to duly complete them.
“I believe constructing good building and facilities is very important, because schools are a symbol of hope as your nation’s future depend on them. Good school building will encourage students to study hard and take pride in their school. and the memories of your school days will remain for a long time to support your work hard in the future,”Ambassador Masami said at the signing of the grant contract at the Japanese Embassy Dili.
at the same time, Mr Masami express his appreciation toward the various supports from the national and local government and wished these projects will have their continued strong support.
Minister of Education, Armindo Maia thanked the Government of Japan for the supports provided for both schools.
“The supports is for the roof rehabilitation of Dom Bosco Fatumaka technical schools to enhance the quality of residential and educational environment for more than 300 hardworking students at the school and the other project for EBF Fatulaun is to rebuild one of their school buildings, with the building of three classrooms and a teachers’ office to ensure safety and security of educational environment for more than 400 students,” Minister Maia said.
According to Mr Maia, Timorese Government has allocated around US$31 million budget from the 2021 State Budget for the rehabilitation and construction of the new schools including the classrooms, room for teachers and libraries.
“The US$31 million budget is insufficient for the rehabilitation and constructions of the schools across the country, we identified around 600 schools within the country, the current approval budget will only sufficient to rehabilitate and construct more than 200 schools, and the remaining are 400 schools,” he said.
Despite, Maia believes that Timor-Leste partners will continue to support Timor-Leste to attain its planning.
“PNDS continues to support us in some parts, and we know that we have several partners that have helped us, thus we had to have a good coordination between the government of Timor-Leste and our Development partners regarding these processes,” he said.
According to Mr Maia, these projects will benefit many students, government needs to focus to this project because children are the future of the nation.
“We need to develop our students and the first program that we have been targeting is infrastructure, and the school management, training for the teachers, curriculum and other materials,” he said.
In spite, Japanese Government has supported many large-scale government projects as well as smaller scale projects that directly benefit the local people.
The 178 small scale projects which is directly assist the people in all 13 municipalities have been carried out.
The GGP has been playing a major role in the area, focusing on improvement and expansion of social services delivery in Timor-Leste. It has also been supporting various sectors by construction of educational facilities, healthcare institutions and water supply system.
Journalist: Nelia Borges
Editor:Rafy Belo
