DILI, 24 june 2022 (TATOLI) – Youth Innovation Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) proposes to the Government to allocate 20% of the General State Budget for the education sector.
The suggestion was raised in the scope of the seminar with the theme “Progress and Challenges in the Implementation of the National Education Strategic Plan and Sustainable Development Goals in Timor-Leste”.
The Executive Director of Youth Innovative, Filipe de Jesus said, although the Government has successfully developed the education sector, through collaboration with several partners, it is necessary to allocate an adequate budget for the sector.
“We recognize the efforts made by the Government for the development of education in Timor-Leste, but most schools do not have adequate conditions, Timor-Leste is the only country that has a very low budget for education, and the budget allocated does not cover all activities, and school needs”, said Jesus, at Balide.
National Director of Planning and Inclusion of the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports (MoEYS), Afonso Soares, considered the recommendations for overseeing innovative education programs and challenges in Timor-Leste, by saying that the government has stepped in, as well as other organizations, to prioritize educational needs across the country.
“The theme cited by the organization, ‘Progress and Challenges’ is related to the MoEYS objectives of the sustainable strategic plan, which is also a great experience for MoEYS to evaluate the education issues,” said Soares.
Soares added that developing innovative education requires the responsibility not only of the Ministry of Education but also of Civil Society, NGOs, and other Government entities to promote innovative education in Timor-Leste.
It is recalled that After Timor-Leste gained its independence, the country had to completely rebuild these institutions from the ground up and Because of the focus on rebuilding education, Timor-Leste was able to make quick progress.
Following the report from UNICEF, Only 20 percent of preschool-aged children in Timor-Leste are enrolled in school. Nearly 37 percent of rural youth (15-24) are illiterate, compared to just six percent in urban areas. Approximately 70 percent of grade one students don’t meet basic learning outcomes. 66 percent of basic education schools do not have functioning toilets. 40 percent of basic education schools do not have drinking water
To fix the problem in education, the Government of Timor-Leste through the Ministry of Education has been working side by side with the partners including UNICEF to develop key learning and teaching policies, standards, and monitoring systems, and to strengthen the planning and delivery of quality education services equitably.
Policy Development
In recent years, UNICEF supported the Ministry of Education, Youth, and Sports to establish the Basic Law of Education (2008), the Basic Education Law (2010), the National Policy Framework for Preschool Education (2014), WASH in Schools Guidelines (2016), and the Inclusive Education Policy (2017). UNICEF is currently working with the government to finalize quality standards for preschool and basic education, and to finalize an Early Childhood Development (ECD) Policy.
Equity in Education
To reach children in remote areas, UNICEF supports the Government of Timor-Leste to set up a sustainable model of community pre-schools as an alternative delivery model for early learning programs. UNICEF has also been assisting in the rehabilitation of classrooms, and the construction of new classrooms and schools, to create a conducive learning environment to benefit more students
Quality of Education
UNICEF supports the Ministry of Education, Youth, and Sports to strengthen the quality of education and children’s learning using a child-friendly school approach known locally as “Eskola Foun” or “new school.” This approach promotes child-centered teaching, improved school management, safe school environments, the active participation of parents and communities in schools, and the importance of safe, gender-sensitive, and sustainable water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities in schools.
Journalist: José Belarmino De Sá
Editor: Nelia B
