Bobonaro, October 13, 2026 — The Minister of Education, Dr. Dulce de Jesus Soares—accompanied by the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Timor-Leste, Jang Hyeon, and representatives from the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)—participated in a foundation-stone-laying ceremony for the construction of 14 new public preschools in the municipalities of Bobonaro and Baucau.
During the ceremony, held in the suco (village) of Soilesu, Bobonaro municipality, the Minister of Education emphasized that Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) is a national priority. She noted that the early years of life are fundamental to a child’s physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development, serving as the foundation for all future learning.
The Minister stated that, according to 2025 data from the Education Management Information System (EMIS), the national net enrollment rate for preschool education stood at 29.24%. In light of this, the Government has set a target to increase children’s participation in preschool education to 60% by 2028.
The project includes the construction of 14 new preschools and the rehabilitation of 20 existing educational facilities, with the goal of improving access to quality education—particularly for children living in the country’s rural and remote areas. On this occasion, the Minister expressed her gratitude to the Government of the Republic of Korea, KOICA, and UNICEF for their support and collaboration, which represent a significant contribution to the development of the education sector in Timor-Leste.
The Minister further emphasized that investment in school infrastructure must be accompanied by the training of qualified teachers, the provision of appropriate pedagogical materials, the licensing and accreditation of schools, the allocation of school subsidies, and the implementation of the School Feeding Program. These measures are essential to ensuring safe, inclusive learning environments that foster the holistic development of children.
The Minister also called upon parents, guardians, communities, and local authorities to continue collaborating with the Government to ensure that all children have opportunities to learn and develop their capabilities from their earliest years.
This initiative represents an important step toward strengthening access to preschool education in Timor-Leste, contributing to the establishment of a solid foundation for the learning and development of future generations.
