by John Hennessy and Angelo Gavrielatos

Federation’s commitment to contributing towards the rebuilding of East Timor continues.

On March 9, Federation had the pleasure of hosting Father Filomeno Jacob, the East Timorese (CNRT) spokesperson on education who was visiting Australia lobbying governments and teacher unions for appropriate assistance in the rebuilding of their education system.

"We are starting from scratch...however we don’t want to start from the stone age," Fr Filomeno said.

Rebuilding should be read in its literal form as most schools have been destroyed. Desks and chairs are almost non-existent. He described their very desperate situation, which is not only in the area of physical resources but also manifests itself in a dramatic shortage of teachers. This is best demonstrated by the fact the East Timorese have only one tenth of the projected secondary teachers need.

The East Timorese hope to organise a national convention of their teachers in April or May to establish a national framework for the education of their people. They hope they can commence in earnest their new school year in October of this year. In the meantime there are a series of makeshift responses where teachers, wherever they exist, are trying to bring students back to schooling, albeit under trees, shacks or any other space.

In regards to the shortage of teachers, Federation is advised of their hope Australian teachers might be able to assist by teaching in East Timor for appropriate periods of time, and also the need for in-servicing, training and sabbatical programs that could be provided in Australia for Timorese teachers. On these matters, Federation will be making the necessary approaches to governments in an attempt to secure commitments to this end. Given the sympathetic response of the NSW Government late last year during general discussions on these matters, it is hoped some arrangements could be put in place.

Schools can help too. In terms of practical immediate assistance Federation was advised books are an absolute necessity, in particular high school level ESL resources and Indonesian-English/English-Indonesian dictionaries. If schools have any such resources available, which may no longer be in use, they would be greatly appreciated.

Contact Angelo Gavrielatos on (02) 9622 9201 regarding arrangements for any deliveries.

John Hennessy is the General Secretary and Angelo Gavrielatos is an Organiser and a member of the AEU International Trust Fund Committee.