The Society of Jesus in Timor Leste has announce plans for a proposed educational institute following the return of the Colégio de São José – which the order previously ran – to the Diocese of Dili, said a report on the Jesuit Asia Pacific Conference website.

The proposed institute, Instituto de Educação Jesuíta, will have two departments: a basic education department, Colégio de Santo Inácio de Loiola, and a teacher education department, Colégio de São João de Brito, to be located in Kasait, west of Dili.

Colégio de Santo Inácio de Loiola, an Ignatian high school for boys and girls, will commence in 2013 with a limited intake at Level 7. It will teach in Portuguese, Tetun and English.

Colégio de São João de Brito will commence with the preparation of senior secondary school teachers in 2014. The three-year bachelor’s degree will focus on Portuguese, Tetun, English and Religious Education.

“As a Catholic institution in a Catholic country, there is a need to prioritise and develop competency in religious education and faith development in the local context. A distinctive characteristic of the Institute will be the embedding of the Jesuit mission and identity,” said Fr Mark Raper SJ, Acting Regional Superior, Region of Timor Leste and President of the Jesuit Conference of Asia Pacific.

FULL STORY AND OFFICIAL STATEMENT

Jesuits to Set Up Educational Institute in Timor Leste (Jesuit Asia Pacific Conference)