DILI, 05 september 2023 ( TATOLI) – Minister of Higher Education, Science and Culture (MHESC), José Honorio da Costa Pereira Geronimo, urges universities in Timor-Leste to use the official languages Tetum and Portuguese in the teaching process to ensure quality education in Timor – Leste.
“We are aware that the quality of higher education in Timor-Leste is still low and some universities do not yet use official languages such as Portuguese and Tetum in all subjects,” José Honorio Geronimo told journalists in Vila-Verde Dili on Tuesday.
Geronimo added, based on the constitution of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, article 13 states that Tetum and Portuguese are official languages, therefore universities are required to use these official languages in all subjects in higher education.
“Based on observations made by MHESC, many universities, both state and private universities, still do not use the official language Tetum and Portuguese during lectures, therefore MHESC will introduce language standards to its lecturers from all universities to ensure the quality of higher education in Timor – Leste,” he said.
MHESC is also currently collaborating with the Institute National of Linguistics (INL) and Intuititu of Camoes Portugal which aims to facilitate state universities and private universities to develop official languages.
“Currently we have 4 Portuguese linguists and two linguists from INL to standardize Tetum and Portuguese so that they can be used according to existing standards,” he concluded.
Journalist: Camilio de Sousa
Editor: Nelia B.
