In addition, Concern plans to initiate programmes that will utilise local skills to assemble benches, cabinets and other items for use in the classroom. More worrying is the severe shortage of trained teachers. Prior to the August 30 referendum, there were some 3000 teachers in East Timor, but less than one third of that number were native. Most have since left the country. As a result, most operational schools are forced to make do with only one, or two teachers.
Teacher training is a clear priority for the future.
And then there is the small problem of language. While the older generation speak Portuguese, those educated in the years since the 1975 invasion have been schooled in a dialect of Indonesian. In addition, many East Timorese will speak, or at least have an understanding of Tetum, the country s indigenous language. Adding to this linguistic confusion is the widespread popularity of English, especially among the young. The confusion was finally cleared up in mid-February, when Portuguese was adopted as the official language.