MDG Two in Timor-Leste

 

Goal Two: Achieve Universal Primary Education

Target: Ensure that, by 2015, children everywhere, boys and girls alike, will be able to complete a full course of primary schooling

Scorecard for Timor-Leste: On track and very likely to achieve

In spite of a significant increase in consumption poverty, there has been improvement in education indicators between 2001 and 2007, according to the TLSLS. The percentage of population aged 6 years and above who never attended school declined from 45% to 40% during the period, the percentage of adult literacy (among population aged 18 years and above) increased from 38% to 51%, and percentage of those who completed primary education also increased from 31% to 43%. Similarly, there has been an increase in percentage of those who completed secondary education over this period, from 12% to 15%. A significant increase in the primary and secondary net enrolment rates during this period was noted, from 19% to 35% and from 14% to 23%, respectively. Similar improvements have been recorded for both males and females.

The overall improvement of the indicators in education is due to a series of Government policies through the provision of free primary and secondary education for all. Investment in primary and secondary education would enable Timor-Leste to reach 100% in 2015.

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