DILI 22 August 2022 (TATOLI) – The Government of Timor-Leste, led by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports (MoEYS), Armindo Maia, concluded regional and national consultations on ‘Transforming Education’ in Timor-Leste.
The regional and national consultations aimed to formulate plans for transforming education in the country toward equitable and quality education for all.
The consultations, in Ainaro, Baucau, Bobonaro, Oecuse and Dili, took stock of progress made against national targets for education, including Sustanable Development Goal 4 (SDG-4) targets; identified major challenges and gaps in advancing equitable and inclusive learning; and looked at opportunities to reimagine education in Timor-Leste. The discussions brought together government, civil society organizations, academia, faith-based organizations, development partners and youth groups.
The consultations informed the formulation of a National Statement of Commitment from Timor-Leste which will be presented at the global ‘Transforming Education Summit’ convened by the United Nations (UN) Secretary-General, António Guterres, in September 2022. The statement of commitment focuses on recovery from pandemic related learning losses; strengthening teachers’ capacities, and digital transformation for learning; ensuring equity, inclusion and safety in schools; raising the ambition of national targets for education; and financing of education.
“Over the past 20 years, there have been many achievements for education in Timor-Leste, including increased net enrolment in primary schools. Yet, many challenges remain, with only 25 per cent of children accessing preschool, high dropout rates, low achievement in literacy, low enrolment of children with disabilities, and growing inequality between wealth groups and regions,” said H.E. Dr.Armindo Maia, Minister of Education, Youth and Sports, during remarks made at the national consultation meeting in Dili. “We have to do better, to deliver the knowledge and skills that children, young people, and adults need to excel in today’s world and contribute to a better Timor-Leste for everyone.”
The consultations were supported by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
“Education lies at the heart of development. This is the right time to mobilize political will and actions to reimagine and transform education,” said Roy Trivedy, United Nations Resident Coordinator. “Let’s mobilise an education revolution in Timor-Leste.”
The Transforming Education Summit (TES) seeks to mobilize political ambition, action, solutions, and solidarity to transform education: to take stock of efforts to recover pandemic-related learning losses; to reimagine education systems for the world of today and tomorrow, and to revitalize national and global efforts to achieve SDG-4.
Journalist: Filomeno Martins
Editor: Nelia Borges
