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Recommendations from stream on Formal EducationThe Conference heard an inspirimng and optimistic presentation by the Ministerfor Education, Dr Joo Cancio Freitas who believes that illiteracy can beeradicated in the near future. Nevertheless we realise Formal education faces anumber of difficulties in re-orienting itself to Timors development needs, in

particular its multi-lingual character. Education relies for its success not only onthe government, but on the motivation of students, teachers and the communityto promote good learning and teaching within the educational institutions.

Opportunities for students to apply their learning to development problems,including rural livelihoods and health problems, are also needed. Scienceeducation is the basis for a good deal of this. Students also need the support ofeducational institutions, the broader community and their families to identify theircareers paths and be motivated to follow them.

Recommendations to the Government

Literacy is the foundation for development. It is an important requirement of earlyeducation and attention must be paid to the quality of teaching and the languageof instruction in early literacy in children. Timor-Leste will for many years be amulti-lingual society. The conference therefore recommends that the governmentof RDTL

support of the development and teaching of Tetum as writien languagethrough the National Institute of Linguistics and other bodies, to includethe development of a common orthography and grammar

Support the training of teachers in language teaching methodology,

including teachers of Portuguese, English, Tetum and other languages

Support the development of Public Libraries both at National and Districtlevels, and school libraries to provide teaching and learning materials forstaff and students, including access to the internet?

Support the development of computer laboratories and computers inlibraries on university campuses?

Given that improved understanding of science enables improvement in health,agriculture, environment, energy generation, reducing womens workload and

many other fields of development. The conference recommends

Science to be taught in primary and secondary schools in such a way thatrecognises its use in Timorese society, in both rural and urban areas.

Science and Mathematics Curriculum should be developed starting withthe experience of students then carry this on to link with internationalstandards.

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Adequate resources should be developed to assist teachers to teach in away which links traditional knowledge in science and mathematics withcurrent development problems and also links in to good practiceinternationally.

Develop laboratories at schools and universities, using local materialswhere possible, and ensure adequate practical work in science.

Establish a group of professionals to continue the development of localscience and mathematics for education and give continued training toteachers

Engage wholeheartedly in the UNs Decade of Education for SustainableDevelopment, 2005-2014 being co-ordinated by UNESCO.

As many young Timorese, both highly educated and early school leavers, havedifficulty in learning about career options, the conference recommends

Courses at Timor-Lestes universities and other post-secondary institutesincorporate graduate attributes in their objectives and link these to partsof the curriculum

The Secretary of State for Training and Employment should establish aninformation service for young people about careers and their educationalrequirements and a career counselling service for those who need it.

Students returning from study overseas (both short courses and longcourses) should be fully debriefed and re-oriented back into Timoresesociety, and assisted with making the most of their educationalexperiences in other countries. Additional courses for graduates fromother countries to learn more about the Timorese environment should bearranged in some professional disciplines, e.g. Law, Architecture, andEngineering.

Post secondary internships should be provided for school leavers atDistrict, sub-district and National level, to enable them to gain experiencein Timors development problems before they begin their university

studies.

Recommendations to Civil SocietyCivil Society organizations working in fields such as appropriate technology,sustainable agriculture, health, community radio etc. should link with formaleducation institutions in their district to provide extra-curricular and field workopportunities for students.

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Recommendations to UNTL

Consider the establishment of a Faculty of Science at the NationalUniversity.

Consider the establishment of a Foundation Year to cater for thosestudents inadequately prepared for higher education at their High Schools

Update the sign outside the Caicoli Campus so that people know it is auniversity

Engage wholeheartedly in the UNs Decade of Education for SustainableDevelopment, 2005-2014 being co-ordinated by UNESCO.

Consider the incorporation of Learning in the Workplace and Communityin all courses.

Establish a unit in Development Studies for students in all Faculties.

Recommendations to Victoria UniversityOrganize study visits of UNTL staff to Victoria under the Australian LeadershipAwards (Fellowship) scheme to look at issues such as Faculty and Departmentgovernance and management, curriculum development, staff training, learning inthe Workplace and Community and other issues of common interest.

Revive the VU-UNTL Student Exchange program which operated in 2007.