DILI, 27 january 2026 (TATOLI) – The Centre for Learning and School Training (CAFE) will receive a record number of Portuguese teachers this year, Portugal’s Ambassador to Timor-Leste, Duarte Alves, announced after meeting President José Ramos-Horta on monday.
Alves said 145 Portuguese teachers will join the CAFÉ School this year, working in close partnership with approximately 200 Timorese educators.
The first group of 25 teachers arrived last saturday, with more expected in the coming days. They will be assigned to 14 CAFE schools operating across all municipalities in Timor-Leste.
He also said the 2024–2028 Strategic Cooperation Program (PEC) between Portugal and Timor-Leste is now in full implementation.
The agreement for the implementation of PEC was signed by both governments in Lisbon in October 2024.
Ambassador Alves reaffirmed Portugal’s commitment to expanding the CAFE project beyond its current scope, reinforcing education and human capital development as central pillars of the partnership between Timor-Leste and Portugal.
He described Timor-Leste as “a very close and dear country to Portugal”, stressing the strong historical and emotional ties between the two nations.
Journalist: Afonso do Rosário
Editor: Isaura Lemos de Deus
Translation: Filomeno Martins
