The Education Network Coalition for Children of Timor-Leste (TLCE) has grave concerns over the wellbeing and future of children in Timor-Leste given during school holidays children play bingo and play with fireworks rather than developing more constructive hobbies.
TLCE’s Coordinator for Monitoring and Advocacy, Joao SoaresPequinho, said this reality is on the parents because they are supposed to positively educate their children.
“Letting them play bingo and to handle fireworks; it would be much better if they sent them to attend activities that develop their natural talents,” said Coordinator Pequinho.
He noted the three-month break students had in late 2013 was not common but it was a needed solution for the Ministry of Education so it can capacitate teachers during the three month break. What it also means is parents have to assume the important role of educating their children.
Representing a Civil Society organization, the TLCE concurs that for nine months teachers have the responsibility to educate students but the other three months of the year belong to the parents who must educate their children at home.
Meanwhile Coordinator for Communication at FOKUPERS, Mercia Lopes, said if parents don’t prioritize the needs of their children, they won’t behave in a positive manner.
She added when parents don’t set a good example and play cards and so forth all day long, their children will be negatively affected and the children will imitate the parent’s behaviour.
“We see children everywhere playing bingo. Worse still is parents encourage them to play,” said Coordinator Lopes.
She said FOKUPERS intended to organize educative activities at the village level, and to gather the children to learn and develop their talents during the festive holidays but did not get good cooperation from local leaders.
