DILI, 22 august 2022 (TATOLI)- Timor-Leste’s Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports (MoEYS) has concluded regional and national consultations on ‘Transforming Education’ in Timor-Leste.
According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Education, the consultations aimed to inform the government, civil society organizations, academia, faith-based organizations, development partners, and youth groups regarding 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.
Addressing the netting, Minister of Education, Armindo Maia highlights the achievements and challenges facing Timor-Leste over the past 20 years in the education sectors, saying There have been many achievements for education in Timor-Leste, including increased net enrollment in primary schools. Yet, many challenges remain, with only 25 percent of children accessing preschool, high dropout rates, low achievement in literacy, low enrollment of children with disabilities, and growing inequality between wealth groups and regions.
“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,” Minister of Education, Armindo Maia, in his remarks made at the national consultation meeting in Dili.
The discussion, in Ainaro, Baucau, Bobonaro, Oecuse, and Dili, took stock of progress made against national targets for education, including 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 Consultation was 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 mobilize 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; reimagine education systems for the world of today and tomorrow, and revitalize national and global efforts to achieve SDG-4.
Journalist: José Belarmino De Sá
Editor: Nelia B.
