Dili, 15 October 2026 — The Deputy Ombudsman for Human Rights, Maria Marília Ximenes Castro da Costa, delivered the opening speech at a roundtable discussion on “Progress and Challenges in Basic Education in Timor-Leste: Assessment and Perspectives for Improving Education Policy.” The event was organized by Asosiasaun HAK, with support from the European Union and CARE International Timor-Leste, bringing together government representatives, civil society organizations and other stakeholders to discuss the challenges facing basic education.
In her speech, the Deputy Ombudsman highlighted the findings of PDHJ, which registered 32 complaints concerning the education sector between 2023 and 2025. These included overcrowded classrooms, inadequate access to clean water and sanitation, inaccessible school facilities for children with disabilities, and insecure employment conditions for some teachers. She emphasized that these challenges are not merely infrastructure problems but also human rights concerns, reaffirming that education is a fundamental right that must be accessible, safe, inclusive and of good quality for every child.
Deputy Ombudsman called for a coordinated and sustainable response, recommending dedicated budget allocations for water, sanitation and hygiene facilities and school accessibility, greater transparency in education data, and joint monitoring involving the Ministry of Education, PDHJ, HAK, CARE International, TLCE and FONGTIL. She reaffirmed PDHJ’s commitment to working with relevant stakeholders to strengthen accountability and ensure that every child, including girls, children with disabilities and those in remote communities, can enjoy their right to dignified, inclusive and quality education.
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