DILI, 21 February 2025 (TATOLI) – UNESCO and UNICEF jointly reaffirmed their commitment to promoting linguistic diversity and integrating mother tongues into the education systems in Timor-Leste. This year celebrations spotlighted the critical role of multilingual education in fostering inclusion, improving learning outcomes, and preserving cultural heritage. In a country where over 20 local languages are spoken alongside the official languages, Tetun and Portuguese, many children face significant barriers to learning. More than 70 percent of children in Timor-Leste enter school without fluency in these official languages, often struggling to understand lessons and impacting their ability to succeed in school.
To bridge this gap, the EMULI (Edukasaun Multilinge) initiative, led by the Ministry of Education with support from UNESCO and UNICEF, has been transforming education in Timor-Leste. Since 2012, EMULI has trained teachers and provided schools with the tools needed to implement mother tongue-based instruction in preschool and primary education, with a gradual transition to Tetun. Implemented in ten schools across three municipalities, EMULI has significantly improved literacy and retention rates, demonstrating how multilingual education can create lasting change.
Building on EMULI’s success, this year’s International Mother Language Day celebration in Timor-Leste showcased the program’s tangible impact on education and cultural preservation. The event brought together local leaders, educators, parents, and students to celebrate Timor-Leste’s rich cultural diversity and the impact of mother tongue education. Through community dialogues, cultural performances, and workshops, participants explored how multilingual education can enhance learning outcomes, preserve heritage languages, and build a more inclusive society. The celebration highlighted the tangible results of the EMULI program and advocated for broader adoption of multilingual education nationwide.
Reflecting on this success, Maki Katsuno-Hayashikawa, UNESCO Regional Office Director, emphasized the broader vision of multilingual education “Languages are a gateway to learning, culture, and identity. Together, we can build a future where language is not a barrier but a bridge to knowledge, identity, and unity.”
“By investing in multilingual education, we ensure that every child has the opportunity to learn in a language they understand, creating a more inclusive and equitable education system,” said Patrizia DiGiovanni, UNICEF Representative.
UNESCO and UNICEF call on policymakers, educators, and communities to enhance support for multilingual education, develop inclusive policies, invest in learning resources and teacher training, and preserve Timor-Leste’s rich linguistic heritage through education and cultural initiative. By embracing linguistic diversity, Timor-Leste is building a future where every child can thrive, regardless of the language they speak.
TATOLI
