Paulina Quintao – Analytical skills and critical thinking will be the focus of the new primary school curriculum to be introduced by the Education Ministry.

Deputy Education Minister Dulce de Jesus Soares said the rote learning methodology currently implemented in Timorese schools was ineffective. The education overhaul will also see science and maths textbooks revised to improve teaching and learning.

Soares said the teachers were receiving training on the new curriculum, funded by a $2 million grant from the Korean International Co-operative Agency (KOICA) paid over two years to 2016.

KOICA representative Uidon Chung said South Korea was prepared to support the government of Timor-Leste to develop a quality education system. He said KOICA would work with the Education Ministry and UNESCO on the rollout.

Other nations had found success with similar teaching methodologies, he said. "We promise to share our experiences in order to overcome these challenges and improve the quality of education to contribute to building a sustainable economy," he said.

Jakarta UNESCO education program chief Mee Young Choi said they were looking to allocate funds to support Timorese education. "UNESCO is happy to support the Timor-Leste government in order to assure the Timorese are prepared to face the challenge in the future," she said.

UNESCO also provided equipment and cupboards to be distributed to 202 primary schools.

Source: http://www.thediliweekly.com/en/news/education/12990-education-overhaul-continues