Environmental Education in Grades 4-6, Timor-Leste

This RAP reports on the current status of environmental education in the elementary education in Timor-Leste. Funded by UNICEF Timor-Leste, a key aim of the RAP was to identify opportunities for strengthening the teaching and learning of environmental education in elementary level schooling. It involved research in four schools together with a review of curriculum. The team also met with the Ministry of Education Curriculum Branch, UNICEF staff, FAO staff and CARE Timor-Leste.

The findings indicate that there are strengths within the schools, and highlight the need for further work to enhance student centered teaching and to strengthen the ability of teachers to effectively deliver environmental education.

The report recommends the establishment of an environmental education initiative with 3 phases focusing on resource development, teacher training and student leadership. These phases are interlinked and mutually complementary. It recommends that the first phase of the initiative should focus on strengthening the capacity of teachers to deliver environmental education in Grades 4-6 with a particular focus on the Estudo Do Meio curriculum. This stage should involve the development of relevant resources to support teacher training and improved delivery of environmental education. It further recommends that this phase should involve the development of a set of student resources which would assist the teachers in their delivery of environmental education.