Only one Philippine School in Timor-Leste officially accredited, CFO warns

DILI, 25 february 2026 (TATOLI) – The Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) has warned parents against enrolling their children in unaccredited Philippine schools overseas, including those operating in Timor-Leste.

In a statement released on tuesday, the CFO urged overseas Filipinos to exercise discretion when enrolling in “institutes” or “training centers” overseas that market themselves as Philippine Schools Overseas (PSOs).

“Enrolling in these institutions does not guarantee a standard of education, may result in unaccredited academic units, higher tuition, and other issues arising from studying outside the official curriculum of the Department of Education,” read a statement.

The CFO announced that there are currently only 35 accredited Philippine Schools Overseas (PSOs) across the globe.

The CFO advised Filipino parents to enroll their children only in the 35 Philippine Schools Overseas that are officially accredited and hold valid permits from the Philippine government.

Of the 35 schools, only Maharlika International School, located in Fatuhada, Dili, is officially accredited by the Philippine government to operate in Timor-Leste.

Maharlika International School (MIS) formerly known as Dili Education & Development Center (DEDC) was established in 2008 by its Founder and Executive Director, Martin Banaken Papay, Jr.

Timorese parents are advised to be cautious and think carefully before enrolling their children in any unaccredited Philippine schools in Timor-Leste.

The following are accredited Philippine Schools Overseas (PSOs) currently operating worldwide:

1. Philippine School Bahrain (Bahrain)
2. Philippine International School of Phnom Penh (Cambodia)
3. Maharlika International School (Timor-Leste)
4. Philippine School in Greece (Greece)
5. International Migrant School (Italy)
6. International Philippine School in Italy (Italy)
7. Al Danah International School (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia)
8. Al Madj International School Dammam (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia)
9. Al Taj International School (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia)
10. Elite International School (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia)
11. Future Generation Philippine International School (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia)
12. International Philippine School in Al-Khobar (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia)
13. International Philippine School in Jeddah (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia)
14. International Philippine School in Riyadh (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia)
15. Palm Crest International School (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia)
16. Philippine International School in Buraydah (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia)
17. Second Philippine International School (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia)
18. Philippine International English School (Kuwait)
19. New Kuwait-Philippines International School (Kuwait)
20. Philippine School – Oman (Oman)
21. Philippine School of Doha (Qatar)
22. Philippine International School –  Qatar (Qatar)
23. Far Eastern Private School – Al Halwan Campus (UAE)
24. Far Eastern Private School – Al Shahba Campus (UAE)
25. Philippine-Emirates Private School (PISCO Private) (UAE)
26. New Filipino Private School (UAE)
27. The Philippine School – Dubai (UAE)
28. The Philippine School – Abu Dhabi (UAE)
29. The Philippine Global School – Abu Dhabi (UAE)
30. United International Private School (UAE)
31. Universal Philippine School (UAE)
32. The New Filipino Private School – Ras Al Khaimah branch (UAE)
33. Philippine Community School (LIBYA)
34. Philippine Centennial Academy, International (LIBYA)
35. Philippine Cooperative Academy in Libya (LIBYA)

TATOLI