DILI, 14 march 2023 ( TATOLI)– Portugal through the Secretary of State for Education and the Ministry of Education, Youth, and Sport (MEJD) of Timor – Leste today sign the new protocol to expand the school of Centro de Aprenjizazen Formacao e Encinar ( CAFE) in the municipality of Atauro, Dili, and Likisa.
Speaking after the ceremony, Secretary of State of Education of Portugal, Antonio Leite said The cooperation between Portugal and Timor-Leste on the establishing CAFE schools for almost 13 years, with the purpose to develop the Portuguese language in Timor-Leste.
” The progress of school CAFE in Timor – Leste had developed significantly, therefore, Portugal and Timor – Leste today signed the new protocol agreement to expand the New school CAFE in Timor – Leste in the short term,” The Secretary of State for Education, Antonio Leite told reporters at the Education Ministry’s office Vila- Verde Dili on Tuesday.
Leite revealed Portugal will continue to send more teachers together with Timorese teachers to develop the Portuguese language and the other science, besides will continue to assist the local teacher in the pedagogy training to transform the good education for students of CAFE schools across Timor – Leste.
At the same place, the Minister of Education, Youth, and Sport, Armindo Maia, appreciate the programs achieved by CAFE schools, saying that currently many Timorese students study in the CAFE schools are very familiar with the Portuguese language because the school providing quality public education using the Portuguese language for all subjects.
” CAFE school is a good school because using the Portuguese language for all subjects and most teachers are from Portugal. We hope that their presence will motivate the Timorese teacher to learn more about the effective teaching methods to ensure the quality of education in Timor – Leste,” said Minister Armindo Maia.
Maia added that with the signing of the new agreement, Portugal and Timor – Leste will construct new CAFE schools in the Municipality of Atauro, Metinaro, and Tibar.
So far Timor – Leste has 13 CAFE schools in the National territory composed of over 3,000 students and around 250 teachers from Portugal.
CAFE schools were established to be the reference school in the National territory of Timor – Leste.
Journalist: Camilio de Sousa
Editor: Nelia Borges