PH and Timor-Leste to Work Together in Improving Educational Systems

In an effort to improve the educational systems of both countries, officials from both the Philippines and Timor-Leste have recently held bilateral meetings in Dili.

PH’s Department of Education (DepEd) and Timor-Leste’s Ministry of Education, Youth, and Sports (MoEYS), as well as the Secretariat of State of Vocational Training and Employment (SEFOPE) aim to “identify and explore possible cooperative activities in the education sector of the two countries.”

Potential Areas of Cooperation

Aside from the technical-vocational education and training, which is the main focus of the meeting, the officials have discussed ways to determine and validate education and development priorities for MoEYS and SSVTE with DepEd’s assistance.

On the other hand, SEFOPE expressed its hopes for PH’s contribution when it comes to the development of mid-level skills training as well as sharing insights on technical-vocational budget and expenses and the accreditation process of training centers.

A Stronger Partnership

DepEd Undersecretary for Planning and Field Operations Jesus Mateo spearheaded the Philippines’ delegation.

He has presented and addressed the queries of the Timor-Leste representatives about the Philippine education system.

Also, an inter-agency meeting will be conducted in the Philippines that involves key government agencies such as the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

According to Undersecretary Mateo, this meeting should be the start of a stronger partnership between the Philippines and Timor-Leste. He said that the “offshoot of this conversation is that there will be more conversations in the future with the end view of coming up with possible cooperation.”

Mateo, who served as part of the governing board, attended the 62nd Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO) Governing Board Meeting in Dili.

Also joining the meeting were First Secretary and Consul of the Philippines to Timor-Leste Jason Juvencio Anasarias, DepEd International Cooperation Office (ICO), Director Margarita Consolacion Ballesteros, and ICO Officer Farida Bianca Velicaria.

Timor-Leste’s delegation was composed of MoEYS Minister, Her Excellency Dulce de Jesus Soares, Secretary of State for Vocational Training and Employment (SSVTE), His Excellency Julião da Silva, Ambassador of Timor-Leste to the Philippines José Gaspar Piedade, and several other ministers/deputy ministers and diplomats.

via Manila Bulletin / Merlina Hernando-Malipot