Capacity-building for Timor Leste

Overview

Timor Leste joined UNESCO on 5 June 2003. Since then UNESCO has endeavored to play a key role in strengthening the country’s education system. UNESCO Office, Jakarta has developed and implemented various programmes and projects in Timor Leste.

The principal aim of these programmes and projects is to support local capacities in improving the education system, in providing equal opportunities for people to attain their educational, social and economic rights, and in providing basic quality education. We have continued our efforts to improve the quality of appropriate non-formal education services, particularly to disadvantaged women and illiterate and unskilled adults. We have also endeavored to build capacity and increase participation in life skills, gender awareness, human rights education, education for sustainable development, and school health. Above all, we have tried to enable people to reach their full potential in order to bring forth better social and economic options that can improve their lives.

After the Timorese attained their independence in 1999, one of the government’s priorities in the goal of rebuilding the country was to provide Education for All. The illiteracy rate in Timor Leste was close to 50% in 2003, according to estimates by Oxfam Great Britain, and women account for a high proportion of this figure. Literacy programmes in Timor Leste are seen in different ways. The Government sees them merely as a way to provide the people with basic literacy and Portuguese language instruction, while for UNICEF their impact on children’s welfare is the primary consideration. On the other hand, some NGOs carry out education work on the premise that women in Timor Leste have historically been discriminated against, both socially and politically. Literacy programmes are therefore a means of enabling women to read and write, and to build up their confidence in transforming the unequal power structure with men.

Activities

• Systematic Resource Development and Capacity Building in Non Formal Education and Development of Model Community Learning Centers (CLCs) in Timor-Leste



• Study Visit of Timor Leste’s Education Officials to Indonesia

A Study Visit of Timor-Leste’s Ministry of Education and Culture representatives to Indonesia was organized in May 2007. The visit focusing on exchanges of experiences and best practices on Non Formal Education particularly on Equivalency Education in order to identify and develop effective strategies, to formulate NFE action plans, and to establishment of similar programme in Timor Leste.


• Building the Capacity of Timor Leste Officials in Education Statistical Information System