To strengthen the Capacity of Ministry of Education in effective policy development, resource management, and innovation. The project consists of the following parts: (a) capacity building for policy, planning and program development, (b) provision of learning materials, (c) construction/rehabilitation design and quality assurance, and (d) work skills for pre-secondary students.

The objective of the Education Sector Support Program for Timor-Leste is to strengthen the capacity of the Ministry for effective policy development, resource management, and innovation. Component one: capacity building for policy, planning and program development. This component will develop Ministry of Education and Culture (MoEC) capacity in policy, planning and program development via the production of policy advisory notes and two sub-sector strategies, and via workshops, the establishment of a National Commission for Academic Assessment and Accreditation, and through technical assistance in procurement and financial management, monitoring and evaluation, school grants monitoring and program design. Component two: learning materials. This component will assist MoEC to develop and operationalize its textbook and learning materials policies and will also assist the MoEC to finance the provision of the quality learning materials for primary and pre-secondary schools. Component three: Construction/rehabilitation design and quality assurance. This component will ensure the quality and cost-effectiveness of the government-financed school construction and rehabilitation program. Component four: work skills for pre-secondary students. This component will support, the development and piloting of a pre-secondary curriculum module for developing work skills and attributes via community enhancement projects. On top of the four component above, is also helping MoE by undertaking Early Grade Reading Achievemnet (EGRA). AusAID activity 07A917 & 07A919.

Since 2008: * Tested selected grade three students’ reading, writing and mathematics skills to help the Government of Timor-Leste understand and address weaknesses in teaching and learning quality. * Helped the Government of Timor-Leste build or repair about 2,100 classrooms in schools across Timor Leste, allowing more children to attend school and learn in better and safer environments. * Delivered nearly 1.4 million student and teacher resources such as worksheets, magazines and books to primary schools throughout Timor-Leste. * Assisted the purchase and delivery of 9,000 school desks and chairs to schools across Timor-Leste, providing better learning environments. *Trained nearly 4,000 teachers across Timor-Leste in how to use literacy materials as well as other skills and knowledge to help them teach more confidently and effectively in the classroom.