Dili, June 25, 2025 (Média Democracia) – The Local Authorities of Bebonuk Village, together with the landowners and the parents of students, reopened the gate of Rainha da Paz School in Bebonuk, which had been closed, allowing the resumption of the learning process.
In an interview, the Chief of Bebonuk Village, Alfredo da Costa, stated that today he, along with landowners, parents, and students, reopened the school gate so that students could continue their learning process as usual and be able to take part in the upcoming second-period exams.
“As Local Authorities, today I came together with the representatives of the parents and students to open the school gate so that the children can continue their studies. We cannot allow these children to be abandoned because they are the future of the nation,” said Chief Alfredo da Costa to journalists at Rainha da Paz School in Bebonuk on Monday (23/06).
He continued that some teachers were also present and ready to resume teaching the students as before.
“I did not come here for political reasons, but as Local Authorities, I cannot accept that parents come to the Village Office every day, complaining that their children have not been attending school. That’s why today I, together with them, came to reopen the gate which has been closed,” explained Chief Alfredo da Costa.
According to him, both sides should find a solution to the issue, rather than hindering the future of around 700 students.
On the same occasion, landowner and teacher João Loe added that they had been following the process because all problems had already been handed over to the relevant education authorities in Dili Municipality, which is why they decided to reopen the school.
“As landowners and also as teachers, we have followed the proper process. Since all issues have been submitted to the Dili Municipal Education Department, we have reactivated the school,” said João Loe.
In addition, they are awaiting action from the Dili Municipal Education Department and have also responded to the demands from local authorities and parents, thus deciding to reopen the school and normalize the students’ learning process.
“We are ready to teach the students according to our capacity because almost three foundations have been in dispute: two Rainha da Paz foundations and us, the landowners, who have established our own foundation,” emphasized João Loe.
He added that they are ready to take responsibility if only the foundation disagrees with the decision of the local authorities and parents, as the foundation can file a complaint with the Public Prosecutor’s Office.
At the same time, the spokesperson for the parents, Jose Manuel Ximenes, stated that they took this initiative to resolve the problem at the school.
“In recent weeks, we have coordinated with the Local Authorities of Bebonuk Village to ensure that students can return to normal schooling,” said Jose Manuel Ximenes.
He explained that although there had been some disagreements, they continued to request that teachers keep teaching, especially since exams are approaching.
“As the parents’ spokesperson, I would like to thank the landowners who have helped to normalize the school so that our children can continue their studies. However, if the foundation creates obstacles, we are ready to face them. We insist that the school must continue operating and cooperate with the Ministry of Education to assign back the teachers who were transferred elsewhere without our knowledge or clear reasons,” said the parents’ spokesperson.
Meanwhile, the Head of Technical Vocational Education at the Ministry of Education, Francisco da Costa Fernandes, stated that Rainha da Paz School is a private school managed by its foundation.
“Rainha da Paz School is a foundation-owned school, also known as a private school. It is managed privately without government intervention, so they need to resolve this issue themselves,” explained Francisco da Costa Fernandes.
He added that the role of the Ministry of Education is to ensure that citizens’ children continue their education according to their academic level.
“The Ministry of Education can help find ways for these students to continue their studies according to their academic level. Secondary school students should be placed in secondary schools, and primary students in primary schools. These are the options the Ministry can take,” added Francisco da Costa Fernandes.
He also urged both parties to sit together and find a solution to avoid harming the students’ education, which is the most important issue.
“If any violations are discovered, the Ministry of Education requests both parties to sit down and calmly resolve the problem to re-establish the school’s operations in response to the parents’ demands,” explained Francisco da Costa Fernandes.
He emphasized that since this is a private school, the Ministry can only act as a mediator, calling both parties to sit together and resolve the problem.
Report: Domingas
Photo: Domingas