Timor Leste Primary Curriculum - Morals

Timor Leste's education system has undergone significant changes since its independence in 2002. A major focus has been curriculum reform, with the Ministry of Education gradually implementing a new curriculum for preschool and the first six years of primary school. This reform aims to improve literacy and numeracy, reduce dropout rates, and incorporate elements of peacebuilding, tolerance, inclusion, and conflict resolution.

Moral education is a key component of the curriculum. While specific details about the Primary 4 Morals curriculum are not readily available, broader information indicates a strong emphasis on cultivating moral values and ethics in students. Reports from 2016 highlight the Ministry of Education's directive for teachers to prioritize moral education alongside traditional subjects like reading and writing. More recently, in September 2024, the government approved the inclusion of three new subjects into the national basic curriculum: human brotherhood, morals, and ethics. The Ministry of Education is working with the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Culture to develop the curriculum for these subjects. These additions reflect a continued commitment to fostering moral development within the education system.