Oé-Cusse, April 9, 2026 – The Territorial Delegation of the Office of the Provedor for Human Rights and Justice (PDHJ) in RAEOA, led by Delegation Director Bartolomeu Gonçalves and his team, conducted a monitoring visit to Baoknana Central Basic School in Suku Bene Ufe, Nitibe Administrative Post, Oecusse Region.
The visit aimed to verify reports that the school had prevented two male students, identified by their initials A.S. and M.R., from taking the first-period exams for two days (Tuesday and Wednesday). According to the school, the students were barred because they had not yet paid fines for repeated unexcused absences. Based on a regulation established by the school in collaboration with parents on August 10, 2024, students are required to pay $1.00 per day for unjustified absences.
Field observations revealed that, following the incident, the two students were eventually allowed to take their exams on the third day alongside their peers. This came after the students’ parents paid a fine totaling $16 at Baoknana Central Basic School on April 9.
The PDHJ team intervened by speaking with school officials, urging them to refrain from practices that violate human rights. The team encouraged teachers to revise the jointly established rules between the school and parents to ensure that students’ examination processes are neither hindered nor prejudiced.
In response, the Deputy Director of EBC, identified by initials J.C., acknowledged that the school was at fault for not allowing the two students to sit for their exams. He committed to guiding the teachers to better manage their time so that the two students can take their exams in the coming days after the current exam period concludes.
The PDHJ Territorial Delegation of RAEOA will also communicate with the Regional Education Director to report the situation, ensuring that proper instructions aligned with regional education policies are issued.
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