The Ministry of Education through the Non-Formal Education Directorate declares that 204,643 people in Timor-Leste are free from illiteracy. 
Minister of Education Bendito Freitas said for citizens to participate in the development process they should know how to read, write and count.
“This program is important as it could encourage people, as citizens, to become active in development work in society through economic, social and other activities,” said Minister Freitas on International Day for Literacy.
He said education did not just happen through formal education but also through adult learning, which was very important to raise literacy in the community.
“Previously they were in the darkness, but they can transform themselves so they’re able to read, write, count and do basic mathematics,” he said.
At the same event, Cuban advisor Daniel Lemos said the Cuban government was ready to support the Timorese government to further reduce illiteracy within the country.
“We are still ready to support the people and beloved country of Timor-Leste in the areas of education and health,” said Lemos.
He affirmed that the Cuban government was happy to work together with the Timorese government to prepare human resources for Timor-Leste.
Meanwhile, National University of Timor-Leste (UNTL) researcher Zelia Fernandes said based on her observations in the field, the government did not give enough attention to the implementation of the literacy program.
“According to our observations the difficulties faced include that villages are very far apart and sometimes they just ride a motorbike so it’s difficult for their monitoring,” explained Fernandes.
She said sub-district coordinators made an effort even though they only received the minimum salary.
“Sometimes their subsidies are two or three months late,” said the researcher.
The illiteracy program began in 2000 in cooperation with the Cuban government and UNESCO.
