Timor Leste CEDAW Specific Report on Education and Health Sectors

B. E DU C A T I O N SE C T O RFemale enrollment in primary and secondary education63. One of the goals of the National Education Strategic Plan (NESP) 2011 2030 is toachieve gender equality at all levels of education by 2015. Nevertheless, enrollment ofchildren at school in general is an issue due to several reasons: hidden education costs(books, uniforms, other), distance to schools, inadequacy of school buildings (lack ofwater, bathrooms), violence in schools, the perception that families have about the qualityand use of the education that the children will receive. In 2008/2009, the total GrossEnrolment Ratio (GER) was 92% in basic education (114% in primary education and69% in pre-secondary education). Higher GER in primary education is due to high GERin cycle 1 at 129%. The ratio is lower in cycle 2 with a rate of 80%. 61 Nonetheless, duringthe same period, the GER in secondary education was 38% of all children while the totalNet Enrolment Ratio (NER) of students who are at the formal age for a specificeducational level was 11.7%. The girl-to-boy ratio in public schools is 91%. 6264. However, National Education Strategic Plan (NESP) and Annual Action Plan (AAP) ofthe Ministry of Education (MoE) guarantees education for all without discrimination andseeks improve gender balance at school. Priority Programme 6 (out of 13) focusesspecifically on a The objective of these social inclusioninitiatives is to support Education for All, with special emphasis on removing barriers toparticipation and learning for girls and women, the disadvantaged, disabled and out-ofschoolchildren. It will ensure that girls have the same right to access all levels ofeducation as boys. So far, the main gaps begin in Secondary Education and are moreevident in Higher Education. 6365. A comprehensive Plan for Gender Equality in Education has been developed this year. secondary, higher education and in postgraduate studies abroad. There is a separate butcomplementary goal that will be pursued: to substantially increase the number of femaleteachers in order to facilitate female enrollment. Research shows a strong correlationis to employ more women as well as retain those who are currently employed. 64Scholarships for girls66. Various programs are being implemented to improve gender balance. The MoE hasprovided scholarships for female students from pre-secondary school to higher educationsince 2009. There are between 300 and 400 scholarships provided every year dedicated61 Ministry of Education (MoE), Education Statistical Yearbook 2008/2009, April 2010, Dili, <strong>Timor</strong>-<strong>Leste</strong>, Pg. 23 62 --<strong>Leste</strong>, Pg 4263 Ibid., Pg. 12964 Ibid., Pg. 131 16 | <strong>CEDAW</strong> <strong>Specific</strong> <strong>Report</strong> on Education and Health Sectors <strong>Timor</strong>-<strong>Leste</strong>