DILI, 06 october 2021 (TATOLI) – The Ministry of Education, Youth, and Sport (MoEYS) has officially resumed face-to-face learning in schools across capital Dili.
“Today, we are all gathered here to officially resume the face-to-face learning in all schools across capital Dili,” Minister of Education, Youth and Sports, Armindo Maia said in his speech at the primary school of 30 de Agostu, in Dili, on wednesday.
Maia said the decision to reopen the schools came after consultation with the Ministry of Health (MoH).
Despite the official resumption of face-to-face learning, MEJD urges each school to ensure 90 percent of educators and school staff members are vaccinated for reopening schools.
“I would like to thank our development partners for all the support that had given to us in dealing with Covid-19 in the country,” said Maia.
The UNICEF representative in Timor-Leste, Bilal Aurang Zeb Durrani said the reopening of schools marks an important milestone for the school children and Timor-Leste as schools reopen after an extended period of closure.
“Since the beginning of this year schools had been closed whether it was due to increasing cases of Covid-19 or due to the floods that hit the country on April 4. Our children had missed too many days of school during the last 13 months since the start of the pandemic Covid-19 last year. Despite all of our efforts to provide distance learning, there have been learning challenges to keep children engage in remote learning to reach the most vulnerable children in remote locations,” said Durrani.
“I am delighted today to be here at this special event to mark the return to face-of-face learning in schools. It is indeed our joy day when our children can return to school and continue learning safely. At the same time, we must remember that the Covid-19 is still not over.’
MEJD pledged to ensure children are returning to school safely during Covid-19.
Durrani called on students to adhere to the protocols and guidelines to stay safe and protect themselves and others: “Wear a mask always and keep a distance from each other not only when you are in school, but also on your way to and from school.”
Of the 4.154 educators and school staffs of 211 schools across capital Dili, including international schools, 3586 or 87.1 percent had been fully vaccinated, while 201 teachers had received a least one dose of the vaccine.
Journalist: Filomeno Martins
Editor: Nelia Borges Rosario
