East Timor focuses on improving education
While East Timor continues to prioritise education, 46 teachers graduated from the training college for teachers on Feb. 20 in Baucau, East Timor.
The students were the eleventh group to graduate from the ‘Baucau College – Instituto Católico para a Formação de Professores,’ – the first group graduated in 2006.
“You have studied for three years to become good teachers who help your students of the future to become good students, who love learning,” the Institute’s director, Brother Peter Corr, told the graduates. “In this way, you also help develop this nation and bring more hope to its future.”
“With your skills you can also help your families by supporting your children and give them a similar focus on their own education,” he added.
Br Peter went on to thank their parents for their support and sacrifices that have enabled their children to study and live in Baucau.
During the event, Australian Catholic University emeritus professor Brother Tony d’Arbon presented three of the College’s staff with their Masters in Education, a course done through distance and led by Brother Michael McManus.
The Marist Brothers founded the College, which is accredited through the Australian Catholic University in Melbourne, at the request of the Bishop of Baucau in 2001. It is the only internationally organised provider of primary teacher education in East Timor.
Deolindo da Cruz, president of the National Institute for Training of Teachers and Education Professionals, spoke on behalf of the Minister of Education.
Two teachers of East Timor travel to Brazil to learn Portuguese
Meanwhile, two Marist educators of East Timor are in Porto Alegre, Brazil, from Feb. 17 – May 4 to learn Portuguese.
Crisogno Freitas Soares Pereira and Mariano dos Santos are part of a programme of professional development, coordinated by the Australia province and with the support of Brasil-Sul Amazônia province and the Collaboration for Mission, International.
Although it is one of the official languages of East Timor, along with Tetum, Portuguese is not very common in schools.
Crisogno Freitas Soares Pereira has been working at the Catholic Institute for Teacher Training at the Diocese of Baucau in East Timor for seven years.
Mariano dos Santos teaches psychology at the Institute, where he has been working since 2007.
To help increase standards of education in East Timor, visit http://www.australianmaristsolidarity.net.au