| Kindergarten Sector |
|
There are thought to be approximately 300 kindergarten teachers teaching in 80 kindergartens throughout Timor Leste. Primary school commences at Grade 1, so kindergarten is really pre-primary level. There is no formal, accredited training for kindergarten teachers and currently no dedicated 'institution' exists to provide any professional development. Most of those currently teaching have not themselves undertaken schooling beyond the primary level. All kindergartens are 'private' with students required to pay an attendance fee to cover teachers' wages and kindergarten running costs. Often the kindergartens also provide a cooked meal. No government funding is provided to the sector. Of course most families cannot afford to pay these fees so the kindergartens have to find funds from elsewhere to cover their costs. There is little money for actually resourcing the kindergartens. None are resourced anywhere near the level that the west is familiar with. Many have no furniture and some no running water. Less than 5% of eligible 5 year olds attend kindergarten. |
