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48 new primary teachers and 6 staff graduate to help the children,
17 November 2006
Timor-Leste will get 48 new primary teachers this weekend as
the first class graduates after three years of intensive study
at the Baucau Catholic Teachers' College.
A further six staff will also receive their teaching diplomas
and graduate certificates at the Instituto Católico Para
Formação de Professores Baucau, which is administered
by the Marist Brothers.
The First Lady, Kirsty Sword Gusmão, who is chairperson
of the Alola Foundation which sponsors students at the college,
will officially open an exhibition of the students' work. The
Prime Minister Dr José Ramos-Horta and the Bishop of Baucau
Basilio do Nascimento will be among many official guests to join
the First Lady at a weekend of celebration and achievement.
The students range in age from 18 through to about 40 and represent
every district in Timor-Leste. During their three-year degree
course, which is recognized and accredited by the Australian Catholic
University, the students studied teaching methodology and Portuguese
so that they could expand the use of Timor-Leste's official language.
"I am absolutely delighted to see that this class has almost
equal representation of men and women," Dr Ramos-Horta said.
"Timor-Leste can be very proud of them. Our children will
be the beneficiaries of their knowledge for many many years to
come. And I would like to thank the First Lady and the Alola Foundation
for the wonderful support it has given to the program."
The celebrations begin tonight when official guests receive a
traditional Timorese welcome at Baucau airport. The First Lady
will open the exhibition at 11 a.m. tomorrow (Saturday) and the
Blessing of the Institute Resource Centre and Book Launch will
take place at noon. The Institute Graduation and Award Ceremony
will occur at 7 p.m. tomorrow (Saturday) at the Episcopal Residence,
home of the Bishop in Baucau.
The Bishop of Baucau will celebrate Mass on Sunday at St Antonio's
Parish Church at 7 a.m. All are welcome to the Mass but some of
the weekend workshops require reservations.
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