The Vice-minister for Education, Paulo Assis Belo, went to the Philippines on the second week of July, to analyse the situation of Timorese that are studying in that country, subsidized by the Government of Timor-Leste.

The visit started with a meeting, at the Timor-Leste Embassy in Manila, between the Vice-Minister, the Education Aid and the Timor-Leste Ambassador to the Philippines. The main issue in discussion was the classification obtained by the scholarship students that are studying in that country for over two years. At a second meeting, all the Timorese students that are in the Philippines were gathered for the publication of their grades. Paulo Assis Belo informed that, according to the grades obtained, 109 students are keeping their scholarships, while nine should return to Timor-Leste. Even so, the Vice-Minister announced that the Government will give one more chance to continue with their studies and improve their grades.

The Vice-Minister for Education appealed to the students to “reflect on this reality: if the human resources are of quality, the country will progress. Therefore, your commitment is obligatory and the Government will continue to help you to embrace a better future”.

The scholarship students from Angel University, in Manila, took the opportunity to present their difficulties. The main complaint was related to the contents taught at the Universities in the Philippines, which, according to the students, are not the same as those taught in Timor-Leste. “Here in the Philippines, high school students already study very advanced materials. Compared to what is taught in Timor-Leste, we are very much behind”, highlighted one of the scholarship students, adding: “Some Timorese students in Engineering, as much as they have been trying hard, did not achieve a passing grade because there is a great unbalance in knowledge.

The Timor-Leste Ambassador, Francisco Cepeda, launched an appeal to all Timorese students scattered throughout the several Universities in the Philippines, to maintain their spirit in studying, focussing on a better future. “The Government continues to give you support so you can dedicate yourselves to studying. When you conclude your degree and come back to Timor-Leste, it is you who will develop the future of the country”, the Ambassador concluded.