ME will not allow universities to open branches in the Districts

The Minster for Education has warned against universities opening branches in the Districts unless they are authorized to do so by the Ministry of Education (ME). 

“We have warned in writing all university Rectors not to operate branches of their universities in the Districts, because they are not licensed to do so, and they must registered legal entities, bring lecturers from Dili nor use teachers from Basic Schooling to lecture there,” said the Minister for Education, João Câncio Freitas, in Baucau.

The Minister raised this issue in relation to universities opening up District branches and using poor quality lecturers.
“It’s not on to go and lecture for a couple of hours a week, then after three years they get a diploma, what will happen in the future,” worried the Minster. 

The Minister also hoped the new Minister pays due attention to the accreditation programme in order to safeguard and guarantee quality. 

On the face of all that students attending one of the District branches of a university said she will continue to attend Uni. “I will continue to attend, this is government politics”, said Olinda Ribeiro.