DILI, 15 march 2024 (TATOLI) -Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) sent eight high school teachers to learn about information, communication, and technology (ICT) in Japan.
JICA representative Naoki Takyo said, every year, JICA, in coordination with the Minister of Education, sends Timorese people to have training in Japan. JICA also provides opportunities for Timorese people to study for postgraduate degrees in Japan.
“I thank you very much because today I was able to meet with eight Timorese participants that have carried out training programs in Japan,” JICA representative Naoki Takyo said in his remarks in JL Villa this friday.
He added that the Timor-Leste-JJICA Alumni Association (TJAA) organized the eight Timorese participants in ICT training in Japan in february 2024.
Mr. Takyo said every year, Japan provides an opportunity for 60 Timorese students to study in Japan. Thus, JICA also offered scholarships for Timorese people to study for a Master’s degree for 10 to 15 Timorese people.
In the same place, National Director of Secondary School, Benjamin Gomes Da Crus Fernandes, said the Minister of Education and JICA cooperated to provide training for Timorese high school teachers on the digitalization of the Information, Communication, and Technology (ICT) program.
“Eight teachers of senior high school have attended 18 days of training in Japan, and they arrived in Timor-Leste on March 10, 2024. Today they reported the training result to the minister of education,’’ National Director of Secondary School, Benjamin Gomes ds Crus Fernandes, told journalists in the JL Vila hotel, Fatuhada, this friday.
He added that Timor-Leste should advance the learning process using ITC tools such as computers, laptops, projectors, and others to help students effectively learn in the classroom.
“We understand that we should not have equipment at schools in Japan; however, we can slowly start, and hopefully one day we can use modern equipment for the teaching-learning process. We cannot continue to use manual mechanisms,” he said.
A participant, João Gaio, said it was a great opportunity for them to participate in ICT training in Japan for 18 days.
“We learned many things about ICT. However, Timor-Leste still lacks many things, such as ICT equipment in school and an internet connection,” he said
He said we have a comparative study between Timor-Leste and Japan’s education system. Japan has a very advanced system, and Timor-Leste requires adapting; however, we still face many challenges in the education sector.
Mr. Gaio recommended to the Timor-Leste Minister of Education to continue cooperating with JICA to send more Timorese people to attend capacity building to enhance human resource capability.
It is known as Aileu, Baucu, Dili, Maliana, Lautem, and RAEOA. The participants were composed of two women and six men.
So far, the participant went to Japan on january 21, 2024, and returned to Timor-Leste on march 10, 2024.
Journalist: José Belarmino de Sá
Editor: Rafael Ximenes de A. Belo
