DILI, 25 August 2025 (TATOLI) – Minister of Education Dulce de Jesus Soares emphasized that the digital transformation brought by artificial intelligence (AI) in education should be used to enhance the quality of learning – not to replace the role of teachers.
Minister Soares made the statement during the seminar Driving Digital Transformation in Timor-Leste: Leveraging Open-Source Platforms for Innovation and Skills, held at the Dili Convention Center (CCD) on Monday.
“The use of digital technology is meant to enhance the teaching and learning process, not to replace teachers. We must focus on inclusive and effective pedagogy so that students learn through active engagement,” Minister Soares said.
She reaffirmed the Ministry of Education’s commitment to preparing students for the digital era through curriculum reform, particularly at the third-cycle level. The priority is to develop 21st-century competencies such as creativity, communication, critical thinking, and digital literacy.
“These competencies will help students develop the agility and flexibility needed for future jobs –including those that don’t yet exist,” she explained.
According to the Minister, digital transformation at the Ministry of Education began in 2016 with the introduction of digital applications for school supervisors and mentors. During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, online technologies became increasingly essential, including the development of digital libraries and online teacher training courses.
In 2023, the Ministry partnered with SEAMEO to provide long-term training in the use of open-source platforms. Applications such as Padlet, Quizlet, Kahoot, and Google Workspace for Education were introduced, primarily targeting secondary schools.
Additional support from the Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications through the TIC TIMOR program has expanded access to free educational tools, including Google Workspace for Education and Canva for Education.
Minister Soares also urged students to use digital technology wisely. She encouraged the younger generation to use the internet for research, skill development, and creative exploration –not just for entertainment.
“Learning to dance on TikTok is fun, but it doesn’t develop cognitive or socio-emotional skills. Use social media with curiosity, compassion, and respect,” she emphasized.
She also addressed the role of artificial intelligence (AI), noting that it can be a valuable tool when used appropriately –for example, by diversifying learning materials or improving language accessibility. However, she cautioned against overreliance.
“If you rely solely on AI like ChatGPT to complete assignments without studying the content, you will fail your exams,” she warned.
Minister Soares expressed confidence that with the energy of youth, the dedication of teachers, corporate innovation, and support from global technology partners like Google and Telkomcel, Timor-Leste will not only become a user of technology but also a creator of digital innovation.
“Digital transformation is not just about technology –it’s about how the people of Timor-Leste can use it to build confidence and capacity for the future of the nation,” she concluded.
Artificial intelligence (AI) refers to the development of computer systems capable of performing tasks that typically require human intelligence, such as learning, reasoning, problem-solving, perception, and language understanding. AI systems use technologies that allow machines to analyze data, adapt their behavior, and act autonomously to achieve specific goals –improving their performance over time without constant human programming. Common examples of AI in daily life include voice assistants, search engine suggestions, and customer service chatbots.
Jornalist: Camilio de Sousa
Editor: Rafael Ximenes de A. Belo
