DILI, 20 june 2022 (TATOLI) – Timor-Leste Coalition for Education (TLCE) through INFORDEPE has conducted two important advocacy activities, focusing on School Feeding Program and Capacity Building and Training to improve the quality of education in the country.
“Our advocacy focused on school feeding program and capacity building and training for teachers at INFORDEPE,” the National Coordinator of Timor-Leste Coalition for Education, Jose Monteiro told TATOLI at his office, in Caicoli, Dili.
In its recommendation, TLCE urged the Ministry of Education, Youth, and Sports (MoEYS) to increase the daily cost of the school feeding program per child from 0.25 to 0.50 cents per day.
“MoEYS also need to recruit Timorese teachers to give them opportunities to develop their teaching skills and Portuguese skills to ensure the quality of public high schools,” Monteiro said.
TLCE thanked MoEYS for considering TLCE’s recommendations to increase the daily cost of the school feeding program from US$0.25 to US$42 per day in the government’s approved rectification budget.
The increase in the school feeding program will help schools to include a variety of foods in the school feeding programs to ensure a balanced diet to combat malnutrition.
He stressed that supplying nutritious foods for students is vital to prevent absenteeism and improve students’ performance at school.
Besides, in response to TLC’s advocacy INFORDEPE has recruited 18 Portuguese teachers to teach and improve the teaching skills of Timorese teachers.
“The 18 teachers will help to improve the quality of the public schools in the country,”
According to the research conducted by TLCE, many public-school teachers have poor Portuguese skills, making it difficult to properly deliver knowledge in the class.
Monteiro said TLCE will also advocate the technical and vocational schools on teaching methods, curriculum, and teacher reform to improve the quality of technical and vocational school education in the future.
TLCE hoped that MoEYS and other relevant institutions will become permanent partners to work together with TLCE to improve the quality of education in the country.
Journalist: Camilio de Sousa
Editor: Nelia Borges
