DILI, 07 June 2021 (TATOLI) – School closures forced by the coronavirus pandemic in Timor-Leste have disrupted learning for 400,000 students while 48.000 have dropped out from school, said Bilal Aurang Zeb Durrani the Representative of the UNICEF to Timor-Leste.
According to the Representative of the United Children International Emergency Fund (UNICEF) Mr. Durani all schools were closed since the virus hit the country last year, thus the UNICEF together with the Timor-Leste’s Ministry of Education had launched an online study program to support the student to study at home.
“We acknowledged that since the country affected by COVID-19 most of the children were not going to schools, and the UNICEF is responsible to coordinate with the Ministry of Education to create an online school, following the data report from the UNICEF 60% of student around the territory have been being accessing to the ESKOLA BA UMA Program, 400.000 students are not going to school while 48.000 have dropped out from school,” Mr. Durani said.
Mr. Durani said, despite Government and the UNICEF has been implementing the online school program” ESKOLA BA UMA” yet some students are continued to face lots of problems concerning the internet adding that not all students have internet access and a smartphone or laptop with unequal access to technology left some kids stranded while others flourished.
For such reason he said, MOEYD will provide printing documents for the students so that they are not required for the internet connection.
According to Mr. Durani ESKOLA BA UMA program has produced 83 episodes which are available on the Youtube channel and also other applications to help children study at home.
The ESKOLA BA UMA program is part of the global programs for education global education initiative. The fund is provided for this global program for $.5. Millions and it is including of ESKOLA BA UMA Program.
Journalist : Jose Belarmino De Sa
Editor : Nelia Borges
