Member of Parliament Eladio Faculto has called on the Timor-Leste government to close down the Dili International School (DIS) as it does not follow the curriculum set down by the Ministry of Education.
The member of Commission F (for education, health, culture, veterans’ and gender equality affairs) said this inconsistency could disadvantage Timorese students.
“The schools must follow the rules; they mustn’t come and establish schools arbitrarily. There needs to be control,” he said in Parliament.
Faculto said all schools in Timor-Leste, including international schools, must follow the Ministry of Education’s curriculum.
He said those who choose to run courses and companies must follow Timor-Leste rules and pay its taxes.
“We should not ignore this system,” he said.
“We must see the foreigners’ identities and if they international schools do not follow the criteria, they must be closed.”
Higher Education deputy minister Marcal Avelino said international schools were exempt from the national curriculum.
“They do not have to follow our curriculum, but they use the systems used in their country,” he said.
