PH to Help Timor-Leste in Teacher Training

DILI 26 April 2018 — Philippine Ambassador to Timor-Leste Abdulmaid K. Muin, called on H.E. Dr. Fernando Hanzam, Minister of Education of Timor-Leste, on 19 March to discuss the implementation of the Philippines – Timor-Leste Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Teacher Training, which was signed by the two countries on 06 June 2013.

The agreement identified the Philippine Normal University (PNU) as the designated Philippine institution that would implement English language training programs designed for Timorese teachers.

Minister Hanzam noted that Timor-Leste needs assistance in helping develop the capability of Timorese preschool, elementary and secondary school teachers in teaching English language.

“The Philippines can help us develop the capability of our teachers in English language,” Minister Hanzam noted. The Minister said that the Timorese Ministry of Education is keen on studying the agreement so that it can be implemented soon.

The Philippines and Timor-Leste have strong links in the field of education cooperation. On 12 August 2008, the two countries signed a Memorandum of Agreement on Academic Cooperation, signed by the Commission on Higher Education of the Philippines and Timor-Leste’s Ministry of Education.

The agreement facilitated the entry of Timorese scholars to various Philippine universities. The first batch of 109 Timorese scholars were admitted by Philippines universities and colleges in 2009. The estimated number of Timorese students studying in the Philippines as of November 2017 is at around 300. END

For more information, visit www.dilipe.dfa.gov.ph or https://www.facebook.com/Philippine-Embassy-in-Dili-Timor-Leste-397812407262952/