The Education Coordinator of the Alola Foundation (FA) Sofia Camoes Pereira said the organization has established 204 alternative pre-schools in Viqueque and Ermera municipalities.
She said the aim of the alternative pre-schools is to enable rural children to have early access to education.
“We are giving 3 to 5 year old children in remote areas access to an early education,” said Coordinator Pereira in Mascarenhas, Dili.
She added that the 102 pre-school centers were established in Viqueque, Uato-Lari and Ossu administrative posts and another 102 in Ermera, Railaco, Atsabe and Lete-Foho administrative posts.
“We have already distributed story books and other materials and learning at the pre-schools has started this month.”
The coordinator said also that this initiative amounts to non-formal education so the children will not be awarded certification but that it introduces the children to early education.
The pre-school facilitators are all volunteers and members of the community who have undertaken training at the teacher training centre of the Alola Foundation.
The initiative has the support of UNICEF and is being implemented by the Alola Foundation in partnership with the Friends of Viqueque and the Mata Dalan Institute in Ermera.
The Director of Education in the municipality of Viqueque, Emilio Amaral said he is aware of the initiative and that the Alola Foundation consulted and coordinated efforts at the national and municipal level before starting implementation of the activities.
“This has been held in Viqueque, Uato-Lari and Ossu administrative posts,” said Director Amaral.
He added he was supporting of the program because it allows rural children to enjoy the benefits of an early eduction.
