There’s a current focus on Early Childhood Education (ECE)in Timor-Leste even though an ECCD policy is not yet readily available. The Ministry of State Coordination and Social Affairs (MECAS) as a government agency coordinates all ECD agencies to provide ECCD services for ages 0-8.

Presently, there is not any national early learning development standards (ELDS) even though UNICEF had just introduced it. An ECE preschool curriculum developed by the Ministry of Education is available for children aged 3-5 years.

Significant improvements in immunization progresshave been observed with increases in vaccination rates by more than 50% to its current rate of 85%. However, Timor-Leste has one of the highest stunting rates in Asia with increases in stunting rates from 1999.

Challenges

1. Currently MoE Timot Leste focus on Early Childhood Education (ECE) that caver children ages 3-5, not included children with ages 0-3.
2. 2017, Under effort MECAS and partnership agencies had developed ECD policy that provide services for ages 0-8, but not approval yet.
3. 2018 TL has new government and new structure, Culture included in Ministry of Education, so TL now has Ministry of Education and Culture ( MEC) and no more MECAS. Regarding on this situation UNICEF provided some information to minister of Education and Culture to bring ECCD policy in discussion of Council Ministers. But happened yet because TL now facing the political situation and will come to anticipate election next three months coming.
4. ECCD policy and implementation it self not stated yet because of change government.
5. An ECE preschool curriculum had developed for children ages 3-5 but not included National Early Learning Development Standards (ELDS).
6. Preschool ages population (3-5) : 91,539 ( Timor Leste population and Housing Census 2015). Preschool Enrolment rate : 20,353 ( 22,27%) ( EMIS 2017) and the rest of this ( 77,73%) out of access preschool, particularly children living in urban area, disadvantage and children with disabilities; Currently TL do not have yet preschool teacher competency framework
7. School feeding for preschools not to much support, and stunting rate still high.
8. No appropriate budget allocated for ECCD programs from the Government
9. Each relevant ministries have own plan and programs for ECCD. However a bit difficult to coordinate to become holistic approach.

Priorities

1. Finalised and get approval of ECCD policy
2. Increase NET enrolment rate for preschool, particularly children are living in rural area, disadvantage and children with special needs;
3. Strengthen Technical network among development partners in other to support community preschool in the ground.
4. Strengthen preschool teacher training.

Stay tuned as we'll be publishing the updated Country Profile soon.