Dili, May 7, 2025 (Média Democracia) – In connection with the celebration of Portuguese Language Day on May 5, 2025, the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Culture (MESCC), in collaboration with the Ministry of Education (ME), announced to all Timorese citizens their commitment to jointly consolidate and continue developing the Portuguese language in Timor-Leste. The celebration took place in Colmera, Dili, on Monday.
The Minister of MESCC, Jose Honorio da Costa Pereira, stated that the celebration of Portuguese Language Day, held on 05 May 2025, serves to urge all Timorese to continue consolidating and developing the Portuguese language in the country, as it is an official language.
“I would like to emphasize that Portuguese is one of our official languages. If we look at Article 3 of the Constitution of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, it clearly states that Tetum and Portuguese are the official languages. The use of Portuguese in Timor-Leste is very important. Additionally, we see that the Government of Portugal has given strong support to the nation of Timor-Leste by opening CAFE schools in all municipalities,” said Minister Jose Honorio da Costa Pereira.
The Minister highlighted the historical relationship between Portuguese and Timor-Leste, noting that many people in Europe feel a responsibility to learn and develop the language themselves. Therefore, Portuguese Language Day is commemorated on 05 May.
He further noted that since the year 2000 until today, records show that only around 25% of the population in Timor-Leste is proficient in speaking Portuguese.
As the Ministry of Education (ME), Minister Dulce de Jesus emphasized that the celebration of Portuguese Language Day on 05 May is essential, in her view, because the development of the Portuguese language in Timor-Leste is vital due to its status as an official language.
“In my opinion and observation, there has been significant progress in the development of Portuguese in Timor-Leste. This is not just reflected in expressions, but also within the curriculum itself from basic education, secondary education, and in all areas, Portuguese is used as the language of instruction,” said Minister Dulce de Jesus.
She explained that during the early learning years from the first to sixth grade various learning methods are used, but starting from the seventh, eighth, and ninth grades up to secondary school, the learning process is entirely conducted in Portuguese.
Therefore, all teachers and students, as well as every person in Timor-Leste, must learn Portuguese and continue to strengthen it, as it is an official language.
On another note, Sabina da Fonseca, a Portuguese language professor at the National University of East Timor (UNTL), stressed that the development of the Portuguese language does not occur solely at the higher education level but spans from preschool to basic education across the country.
“We also have cooperation with Portuguese language teachers from Brazil, who have helped establish CAFE schools in every municipality. In addition, there are school activities where parents actively participate, giving them the opportunity to also learn Portuguese,” said Professor Sabina da Fonseca.
She acknowledged that Portuguese is a challenging language to learn, but it depends on the learner’s willingness, as everything requires personal commitment in order to become proficient in the language.
To elaborate, since the celebration of Portuguese Language Day began in 2000, approximately 25% of Timorese citizens have learned Portuguese, in accordance with Article 3 of the Constitution of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, which designates Tetum and Portuguese as the official languages.
Report by: Nelfiano
Photo: Media Officer, ME