I was in East Timor recently as apart of an ACTU delegation. The delegation
looked at the registration and ballot process and attempted to see what
support the Trade Union Movement could offer the independence movement. The
delegation meet with a number of political groups and organizations.
Militia were certainly visible in the streets after dark - the streets are
deserted by the locals and in a short trip outside Dili villages are still
empty after attacks by militia. But despite this the result of the ballot
should not be in dispute.
Overall the mood is one of optimism. The vast majority of people have
registered against all odds - one polling booth people had already waited 4
hours to register and had several hours to go before reaching the UN staff.
Despite the petty harassment and intimidation such as official documents
issued by the Indonesian Government that don't accurately list peoples birth
date and the presence of militia most of those eligible to register have
registered.
People must vote in the area that they registered. One school in Dili was
missing a number of female teachers who had returned to their home villages
to register and had to remain until the ballot had been completed. The delay
while has enabled more people to register but has left people in their home
regions until the ballot occurs. The overwhelming numbers who have
registered have ensured that any attempt by the Indonesian Government to
stack registration rolls is doomed to failure. The registration process will
enable processed registration lists to be available for challenge in each
polling place by eligible voters.
There is the question of the 40 - 50, 000 displaced people in the mountains
have they registered where they are now or have they registered in home
villages. The UN was unable to get through with emergency supplies ,they
were turned away by the militia.
There is a simple answer to this problem according to Mr Downer - they
should return home, no apparent understanding of why they fled in the first
place or that they needed to supported and protected if they were to return
home. Mr. Downer in his quick trip to East Timor unveiled a plaque for the
Consulate Wall ( great way to spend money - three were produced before staff
got it right ) and threw a cocktail party. The red wine wasn't bad and the
conversation with Mr. Downer was also interesting.
The UN's media unit has used all media outlets to ensure eligible voters
have understood their right to register and their responsibility to exercise
their right to vote. Because the education system is a disaster the ballot
paper will need to be graphic. That is a mark or a punched hole to indicate
preference.
Education
Education is not free compulsory or secular. Many children will be excluded
by virtue of the expensive but compulsory uniform (families will need to
make a choice of who they may have the capacity to provide a uniform for),
compulsory fees are needed to pay for such basics as the teacher's salaries.
The compulsory uniform and fees restrict access. There is a two tied salary
range - a lower rate for government teachers and a higher rate for Catholic
schools. Neither would provide teachers with a comfortable living.
There is no apparent difference in government and non-government schools
that I visited. Both showed the deliberate neglect by the Indonesian
Government. Up to 60 children in a class no student books paper or pencils.
Chalkboards present in classrooms have not been used as a form of
communication for many a long time. Classrooms are bare sterile rooms with
seating and nothing else. Teaching is oral and response is a collective
chant back to the teacher. Of course teaching is all in Indonesian.
APHEADA is providing books and charts in Tetuan the East Timorese language
(a language most students would be illiterate in) but because of costs a
single class set ie one title of a book and perhaps a number of titles can
be provided to a handful of the schools. The colorful charts and books are
welcomed in the few schools that they have been distributed amongst.
Distribution is restricted by only by what APHEDA is able to make available.
Further donations or funds would enable the material to be made more widely
available.
The teaching style driven by the lack of resources (Rote Learning) and
cannot develop a literate population merely an entertained or child minded
population. The children of East Timor will be illiterate in their own
language and semi illiterate in Indonesian
The future of East Timor lies with the children of East Timor. Suffering
years of neglect Teacher Education, Language programs and resources will
need to be invested into education. Physical resources will need to be found
to establish a vital education system that children with education in their
native language. Teacher Training will need to reflect the needs for East
Timor in the future. The authoritarian education system of the past doesn't
reflect the needs East Timor today.
East Timor's needs are many but the many disparate independence groups are
working together and looking to the future when Independence granted.
Practical support can be given by supporting APHEDA's current appeal for
East Timor. The APHEADA site can be accessed through the AEU web site on
www.aeuvic.asn.au or call direct 1300 362 223.
--
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