The Ministry of Education has not made a serious effort to enable teen mothers to finish their schooling, according to Alola Foundation (FA) executive director Alzira Reis.
Reis said while the right to a quality education is enshrined in Timor-Leste’s constitution, the reality was far from ideal.
“I see this policy is just verbal,” she said.
“It should be in writing and signed so we have a guide to follow.”
She acknowledged that getting young mothers back to school would be difficult but said that with courage and effort, it could be done.
Reis said a policy was needed to compel schools to accept teenage mothers.
Such a policy has been recommended by the United Nations’ Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW).
She said FA would lobby those in authority to address the issue.
Women’s Parliamentary Group of Timor-Leste president Deputy Josefa Alvares Pereira Soares said while giving young mothers access to education was important, an in-depth study would be needed before a policy was implemented.
She said vocational training may be the best way for the women to re-enter education.
State Secretary for the Promotion of Equality Idelta Maria Rodrigues said some schools were accepting teen mothers even in the absence of an official government policy compelling them to do so.
