DILI, june 7, 2021 (TATOLI) – The New Zealand Government scholarship program, since 1991, has covered 360 Timorese, said New Zealand’s Ambassador to Timor-Lesteof Philip Hewitt.
Hewitt also explained that the support is provided under the New Zealand Government’s human resources training program.
“These beneficiaries completed their higher education in New Zealand. The first scholarships were offered between 1991 and 1992 when the country was occupied by Indonesia”, Ambassador Philip Hewitt told Tatoli at Farol Dili.
Philip Hewitt also assured that New Zealand is committed to supporting Timor-Leste in the development of its human resources, namely in the early childhood education sector.
“The New Zealand Government considers the development of resources important for the economic growth, well-being, and prosperity of the people. We supported early childhood education in Timor-Leste for six years, through the HANDS program (Halimar, Learn at Deskobre Susesu)”, he said.
In addition to 360 students, 35 Timorese scholarship holders are studying in New Zealand and 105 students are taking the English language course in Dili.
“Former Prime Minister Rui Maria de Araújo, current Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Adaljiza Magno, and current Minister of Education, Youth and Sports, Armindo Maia, are some of the examples of former students of the scholarship program of study in New Zealand”, he exemplified.
Asked about the new plan to assist Timorese education, the ambassador underlined that the New Zealand government is committed to contributing to the development of the sector by 2026, including the creation of preschools in the municipalities of Viqueque and Ermera.
“The construction of children’s schools will have a total value of 200 million dollars for 11 years. We supported the Non-Governmental Organization CARE International in the publication of Lafaek Magazine and cooperated with UNICEF to establish pre-school education in the municipalities of Ermera and Viqueque so that children in rural areas can have access to kindergarten”, he concluded.
Journalist: Afonso do Rosário
Editor: Zezito da Silva
