East Timor still applies RI education system<\/p>\n
Yemris Fointuna, The Jakarta Post, Dili<\/p>\n
East Timor still applies the Indonesian education system
\nalthough it has been separated from the country since 1999 and
\nwill become an independent country in May.<\/p>\n
Except in its kindergartens, all schools there have maintained
\nthe Indonesian curricula which was designed by the Indonesian
\nMinistry of National Education.<\/p>\n
They also use the Indonesian language as the medium of
\ninstruction and other languages -- English, Tetum and Portugal --
\nare accepted as the formal languages for communication.<\/p>\n
Students of elementary, junior and senior high schools in
\nBaucau, Viqueque, Lautem, Manatutu, Ermera and Dili continue to
\nwear school uniforms similar to those of Indonesia's.<\/p>\n
Elementary school students were seen using white and red
\nuniforms, students of junior high schools wear white and dark
\nblue, while those of the senior high schools wear white and gray.
\nWhat makes them different are that the East Timorese students do
\nnot use the Indonesian education symbols.<\/p>\n
Emanuel Ricardo, the principal of the Catholic junior high
\nschool Conis Santana confirmed that East Timor's schools still
\napplied the Indonesian curricula and used the Indonesian school
\nuniforms.<\/p>\n
\"The difference is that we have made the Indonesian language
\nthe medium of instruction. But for other purposes we use Tetum,
\nPortugal and English languages. We also maintain the uniforms we
\nused to use when we were part of Indonesia,\" he told The Jakarta
\nPost in Railako last Thursday.<\/p>\n
Asked about the future education of East Timor, Emanuel said
\nthat the new country lacked funds to develop its education
\nsystem.<\/p>\n
\"Some 80 percent of schools here have opened their classes.
\nBut they are facing many problems, including financial problems
\nand a shortage of professional teachers and facilities,\" he said.<\/p>\n
\"We have 398 students and only 12 teachers. But some of them
\nare elementary school teachers and only senior high school
\ngraduates. We're very concerned about the situation we are
\nfacing. But what's important now is that the learning process
\ncontinues. Maybe, education will be given attention when we have
\na new government in May,\" he said.<\/p>\n
A number of students told The Jakarta Post that they were
\nconfused with the education system currently applied in East
\nTimor.<\/p>\n
\"We only rely on what is taught by our teachers during
\nclasses. There are no textbooks for sale. We're also required to
\npay a tuition of US$1 per month,\" said Fernando, who was
\naccompanied by his classmates Amaral and Thomas Araujo, who are
\nall the students of Santana Railaku, a Catholic junior high
\nschool.<\/p>\n
Data from the press office of the United Nations Transitional
\nAdministration in East Timor (Untaet) in Dili shows that East
\nTimor has 700 elementary schools, 100 junior and senior high
\nschools, 40 kindergartens, and 10 vocational schools, with a
\ntotal student population of 240,000 and 6,000 teachers.<\/p>\n
The temporary administrative head in Ermera district, Victor
\ndos Santos, said that to develop education in East Timor, from
\nOctober 2001, Untaet had conducted an education survey, training
\nprograms and sponsored many of the teachers to finish their
\nuniversity education.<\/p>\n
He hopes that all government agencies in East Timor will
\nprioritize education. \"I do hope that all parties will give a
\nhand in developing education here,\" he said.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/east-timor-still-applies-ri-education-system-1447893297",
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