Dili, June 5, 2025 (Média Democracia) – Teachers from the General Secondary School Colégio São João Paulo II in Bedois held a press conference to express regret over a statement made by a Member of Parliament claiming that some teachers were engaging in illegal charges at the school.
Spokesperson Hermenegildo Soares Andrade stated during the press conference that, as teachers of the General Secondary School Colégio São João Paulo II Bedois, they reject the statement delivered by Deputy Olinda Guterres in the plenary session on June 2, 2025. The Deputy had claimed that some teachers at the school were charging students illegal fees, specifically $20 per student from grades 10 through 12.
“We declare that the statement made by the Honorable Deputy Olinda Guterres is a false public declaration regarding a matter not based on the internal regulations of the General Secondary School Colégio São João Paulo II Bedois. According to our rules, students are not allowed to bring mobile phones to school. If a teacher finds a student with a phone, it is confiscated and handed over to the student’s parents,” said spokesperson Hermenegildo Soares Andrade.
The spokesperson added that they were confused by the Deputy’s statement, which raised a personal/family matter during the National Parliament’s plenary session. He emphasized that there are more important national issues that the Parliament should be addressing rather than using the plenary to raise family-related matters and spread false information.
“We, the teachers, regret the Honorable Deputy Olinda Guterres’ inability to distinguish between national issues, family matters, and internal school regulations. The Honorable Deputy seems to be using the platform to defend her family’s interests. Therefore, we urge the Deputy to properly verify any information before making such public claims,” the spokesperson said.
He reaffirmed that, according to school regulations, if a student is caught bringing a phone to school, the teacher will confiscate it and later hand it over to the student’s parents. However, students are never asked to pay money, and teachers do not engage in any illegal charges.
Report: Domingas
Photo: Domingas