East Timor

 "In the teachers' training I've learned that if all I do is write on the blackboard and have the children copying it they will not evolve as much as they should as students. So I like to introduce diversity. For example I like to sing and read short stories that relate to the topics we're covering in the class. This way it's easier to attract their attention and interest and the children really like it".

Luis da Costa Ximenes, a teacher from Laga attending teacher training

When Indonesia's 25 year occupation of East Timor came to an end, Indonesian militia went on a rampage, destroying everything they could and killing hundreds of people. Nearly all of the country's schools were left in ruins.

Most of the skilled staff in East Timor were Indonesian and when they left, the country was left with few qualified teachers. In addition to the lack of training, teachers rarely have materials available to them with which to make lessons interesting and interactive.

Children in Crisis in East Timor

• In Aileu and Manatuto districts multigrade teaching methods, where one teacher teaches more than one grade at the same time, have been researched and a workshop was held with UNICEF and the East Timorese Ministry of Education to discuss and develop a plan for training teachers across East Timor on the methodology. 
• Trained 400 primary school teachers from across rural Baucau Diocese. As part of the training, each teacher receives a school tool box which contains teaching and learning materials for the teachers to use during lessons.
• Rehabilitated 19 schools in the Baucau District, allowing 2,300 children to attend school.

After eight years our programme in East Timor has recently come to a close, for more information, please click here.