Teaching Education

As Asia’s youngest country, Timor-Leste remains one of the most disadvantaged countries in the region. After a long history of subjugation by the Portuguese and Indonesians, Timor-Leste's fight for independence came at great cost for the people. Timor-Leste gained independence in 2002, however, was left without a government, official language, currency or legal system, and few formally qualified personnel. The nation lost 20% of its primary school teachers and 80% of its secondary teachers. In addition, 90% of schools were destroyed. Timor-Leste currently faces significant challenges, including high youth unemployment and 50% of the population living in extreme poverty. Moreover, there is a shortage of qualified secondary-level teachers across the country. The Jesuits in Timor are actively assisting the Timorese Government in reforming the secondary education system.

Through the generous support of our Jesuit Mission family, including Australian Jesuit and Companion schools, the Jesuits in Timor-Leste have created and brought to life two major education institutions: an Institute for Secondary Teacher Education, Instituto de São João de Brito; and a secondary school Colégio de Santo Inácio de Loiola (Loyola College). The two academic institutes are located directly adjacent to each other making practical teaching and observation sessions easy for students to partake in. In 2016, the teacher education institute (ISJB) accepted its first intake of trainee teachers. Students across three years, are completing Diploma or Degree programs with a major in teaching English, Portuguese or Religious Education. In 2019, the Mathematics department was introduced into the academic program. Furthermore, the school is also considering expanding its faculty, with plans to introduce Psychology and Sociology of Education into the curriculum in the upcoming year. The students come from all parts of Timor-Leste, which is critical to the success and long-term impact of the program. When the well-qualified teachers return home, they will lift the quality of education locally, and in-turn nationally.

Enabled by the generosity of our supporters, we are proud that Jesuit Mission is one of the key partners of this paramount project.

The Jesuits in Timor have collaborated with the Ministry of Education, other Catholic schools and the education sector more broadly to ensure the curriculum and education programs meets the needs of the country. The Institute will form secondary school teachers who are competent, who can think deeply and critically, and who have a deep-seated understanding of the social, political and cultural contexts that shape schools in Timor-Leste.

Through exposure to current teaching in theology, moral theology, personal development and Ignatian Pedagogy, all graduates will be armed with the confidence and skills to accompany young Timorese on their own education and leadership journeys. Inspiring students to become men and women for others strongly underpins all facets of the teaching program.

Student fees are approximately US$400 per year, but this does not cover the actual costs of the program, so all students are on some type of scholarship.