DILI, 27 August 2025 (TATOLI) — The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) have signed a Grant Arrangement totalling USD 6 million to support the Early Childhood Education Program in Timor-Leste from 2024 to 2027. The partnership includes co-financing of USD 400,000 from UNICEF Timor-Leste and aims to help children aged three to five reach their full potential through access to high-quality early childhood development programs in the municipalities of Bobonaro and Baucau.
The signing ceremony, held at KOICA’s Timor-Leste office, was attended by representatives from both organizations, as well as officials from the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Finance. The arrangement marks the beginning of a multi-year partnership focused on enhancing early childhood education through capacity building, infrastructure development, curriculum support, and community engagement.
Since gaining independence in 2002, Timor-Leste has made significant progress in education, achieving near-universal net enrolment at the primary level (91.7% overall; 88.53% for boys and 95.10% for girls). However, preschool education remains a challenge, with a net enrolment rate of only 23.5% (22.85% for boys and 24.35% for girls), indicating that nearly one in five children lack access to early childhood education and the foundational skills needed for school readiness. Substantial efforts are required to meet the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4.2 target of ensuring all children have access to one year of quality pre-primary education by 2030.
Key challenges include the limited availability of preschools, particularly in rural areas, low parental awareness of the importance of early education, and a shortage of trained educators to support children’s learning and development during their formative years.
This partnership aligns with the Ministry of Education’s priorities to expand access to quality early childhood education. The project was developed in close coordination with the Ministry of Education, KOICA, and UNICEF.
Youn Hwa Kang, Country Director of KOICA Timor-Leste, emphasized that the partnership reflects a shared commitment to the future of Timor-Leste’s children. She reaffirmed KOICA’s support for UNICEF and noted that, in coordination with the Ministry of Education, priority villages in Baucau and Bobonaro will be identified to ensure all children have the opportunity to thrive.
Research shows that high-quality early childhood education significantly enhances children’s cognitive skills – including literacy, numeracy, reasoning, and problem-solving – which are essential for school readiness and long-term academic success.
UNICEF Country Representative Patrizia DiGiovanni stated, “We are honoured to collaborate with KOICA and the Ministry of Education on this initiative, which allows us to bring early childhood education to our youngest citizens.” She also acknowledged the Ministry of Finance’s role, highlighting its strong commitment to ensuring children learn and thrive.
The project will be implemented in Baucau and Bobonaro, focusing on underserved communities and promoting equity in education. It is expected to benefit over 3,000 children aged three to five. Key components include the construction of public and community-based preschools to improve access, strengthening the preschool workforce to deliver inclusive, high-quality education, and supporting national and municipal education systems to ensure sustainable access to early learning opportunities.
Journalist: Camilio de Sousa
Editor : Rafael Ximenes de A. Belo
