Dili, 25 February 2026 (Média Democracia) – Today, União Juventude Suku Mau-Nuno released a press statement as an act of disagreement with the Ministry of Education, related to the information published by Jornal Independente on 19/02/2026 about the condition of the Parallel Dugau School, what Jornal Independente published is the real condition students are facing in the learning process.
Spokesperson Julino Maia de Araujo said, “União Juventude Suco Mau-Nuno (UJESMA) as a youth organization that stands with its characteristics as an independent and non-partisan organization, with a position as an instrument to defend and promote justice in Mau-Nuno village.
“The Parallel Dugau school wasn’t built by the Ministry of Education, but the school was built by the will and conscience of parents and teachers, because students living in Aldeia Mau-Suka can’t access the EBF 1.2.3 Martinho de Araújo Mau-Nuno school, due to the long distance, poor road conditions, and lack of transportation to help students attend classes.” Said UJESMA spokesperson, Julino Maia de Araujo to journalists at Jardim 5 de Maio on 25/02/2026
The spokesperson continued, “Due to these poor conditions, it raised the awareness of parents and teachers to build the Parallel school Dugau in January 2017. The Parallel Dugau School is a result of the bitter and sad conditions that the children of poor people have faced for years in Mau-Nuno Village, Ainaro Municipaly.
“The problems students and teachers face at and on the way to school are road conditions, as the road from Mau-Suka Hamlet to school is very difficult to navigate, especially for young children, it’s hard to cross because it’s muddy and slippery when it rains. Therefore, we recommend that the parties responsible for infrastructure take note of this concern.” Added the UJESMA spokesperson
The spokesperson stated, “After navigating through the muddy roads to get to school, another problem students and teachers face is the poor school condition that doesn’t support them in sharing knowledge, as the school walls are just made of thatch, can’t even protect from heavy rain, and another issue is the school lacks sufficient chairs and tables to facilitate students in the learning process.
Further explained in the press statement, União Juventude Suco Mau-Nuno wants to recommend to the Ministry of Education to quickly solve the problems mentioned, such as building a new school, providing sufficient chairs and tables according to the number of students, and creating a library that’s adequate for students.
Reporting : Nelfiano
Photo : Nelfiano