According to the Timor-Leste Coalition for Education national schools are still lacking the basic facilities needed to facilitate teaching and learning.

"What I mean is laboratories, books, desk and chairs as well as other facilities which would make learning easier," said TLCE program manager David Bendito da Silva in Becora, Dili.

He said there are no libraries, so during breaks students didn't have a place they can go to do a bit more study and utilise the books.

"We have been producing videos on standard school facilities which we are planning to distribute to our partners," said the TLCE program manager.

In contrast he said private schools fared better and had far superior facilities. "Private schools are fully equipped and with a full complement of teachers," he said.

"We have also photographed some of the schools in Lospalos in order to show the conditions they are in especially the ones in Lautem which are just deplorable," said the TLCE manager.

According to MP Paulino Monteiro Soares Babo public schools should be in a better condition because they are state assets. "However what we can see is that private schools are faring better in all fronts" said the MP.

It's down to bad management according to him. "We need to look at the individual capacities including that of the directors in order to make the necessary changes for the improvement of the system" said the MP.

According to him directors in the future should strive harder to become more efficient managers. "A good manager should not just wait for the government, but should also seek the assistance of donors," said the MP.