Dili, December 12, 2024 (Média Democracia) – The National Catholic Education Commission of Timor-Leste (CONECTIL) has launched a guidebook on Morals and Catholic Religion for grade 10 students, the content of which specifically focuses on the relationship between humans and God.
Dom Vrigílio Cardeal do Carmo da Silva said the Catholic Church was marking another important step because education was not only in the church and government but also a global concern.
“We all know that education is not only the business of the church and local government, but the business of the world church and universal to the holy house, we can say that through education since the past the holy house has carried out its role when speaking and educating, that we spread the gospel and educate. These two characters can be said to be inseparable, cannot be separated from the mission of the holy house.” Said Dom Virgílio Cardeal do Carmo da Silva in his speech at the ISFIT meeting hall, Fatumeta, Dili
He informed that since long ago through evangelization in education is to educate and form honest Timorese society and good Catholics.
“So, honest citizens and good Catholics, these two things are not new, for more than five hundred years our missionaries have worked in this beloved country, they work tirelessly, not knowing the distance and finality of how to convey and instill this principle in the hearts of the Timorese people, good Catholics and honest citizens.” He said.
As the State Secretary for Secondary General Education and Secondary Vocational Technical Education, Domingos Lopes Lemos continued, at this important moment, the launch of the 10th grade Catholic Religious Education guidebook which developed by CONECTIL.
“This guidebook is not set of academic guidebook, it is a clear compromise for the quality of education for the future of our young generation. Education is the main instrument that can change the lives of society and today we make an important step towards a brighter future and more new apprendice to our students,” said the Secretary of State in his speech.
He said, on behalf of the Ministry of Education, he would like to express his gratitude to all parties involved in preparing this guidebook.
“This guidebook is a contribution from educators and experts who have contributed their knowledge and experience, students and parents who enthusiastically gave their support to this process, as a collective work of the efforts and dedication of many people who sacrificed for education. In submitting this guidebook, the Ministry of Education has also provided knowledge about the guidelines that will accompany them in their academic journey and value training.” He said.
He hopes that through this guidebook, it can inspire students to devote themselves more to studying and exploring new knowledge and become responsible and knowledgeable citizens.
CONECTIL plays an important role in the development of education in our beloved country Timor-Leste, the manual report as a witness to the mission to advance education with quality based on the principles of educational ethics.
“Therefore, for students, the Ministry of Education hopes that this guidebook can be an ally in seeking knowledge, a source of inspiration and confidence in academic discovery, considering that education is the key to open doors and create opportunities, so that every good position and opportunity can be utilized to learn.” He added.
On this occasion, the Executive President of CONECTIL, Pe. António Quenser do Carmo added that this student guidebook contains morals and the Catholic religion for 10th grade students which have been elaborate for a long time.
“The guidebook was official launched by the Timorese episcopal conference, Dom Virgílio Cardeal do Carmo da Silva, this guidebook is the result of CONECTIL’s hard work, the preparation of this guidebook went through many processes and a long time, therefore as a continuation of other guidebooks last year this guidebook was launched for grade 12 and this year it was also launched for grade 7 for morals and Catholic religion.” Said the Executive President of CONECTIL
He said that the contents of this guidebook are dedicated to three important themes regarding the relationship between humans and God in order to reflect various important points as a basis for doutrine.
“The specific content of this guidebook is three important themes, such as, Conscience, Relationship between God and Relationship between Human and Human, so this reflects many things that are the basis for doutrine and many special thoughts to bring us especially our children at the individual level, middle level to learn and practice what they learn through this guidebook.” He added.
Based on plan, produce more than one million copies of the guidebook for distribution to teachers, libraries and schools. The guidebook was made with funds from the Timorese Episcopal Conference and also received support from the government of Timor-Leste.
Reported by : Estefania
Picture by : Estefania