Digital learning brings new hope to EBF. Searema teachers

Manufahi, 01 October 2025 - The classroom has long been a place of hope, for passionate educator, Laudiana from Escola Básica Filial (EBF) Searema. The surrounding Mount Kablaki has always provided her with a sense of calm, peace, and security, offering her a natural shield from the chaos of the outside world. 

However, when floods struck in 2021, everything changed. The harrowing floods left a trail of destruction across schools, washing away classrooms, damaging vital infrastructure, and disrupting the learning environment for countless children. Textbooks, desks, and teaching materials were ruined, while playgrounds and sanitation facilities became unsafe or unusable. The emotional toll on students and teachers was profound, as many faced displacement, trauma, and uncertainty about when normal schooling would resume.  

“During this emergency, school just had to close for more than a week, and we had no means of continuing with teaching the students who were at home,” says Laudiana, as she remembers. 

The precious learning time is because of the damage to the school caused by the floods.  

Thanks to a collaborative initiative between UNICEF, the Government of China, and Timor-Leste’s the Ministry of Education through in service teacher training institute INFORDEPE, teachers like Laudiana are stepping into a new era of education, which will support them to continue providing lessons to their students, even when physical interaction is not possible.

ICT training teaches teachers to continue delivering lessons through digital platforms when physical learning is not possible. Even in times of crisis, ICT training empowers teachers to deliver quality education, adapt to challenges, and support their students effectively. digital skills have become a necessity in ensuring learning never stops, no matter the circumstances.   

An Information and Communication Technology (ICT) training held in Dili brought together educators from four municipalities, equipping them with essential digital skills of using the Eskola ba Uma, a digital platform designed to ensure learning continuity.  

“I felt so proud and happy to be part of the training,” said Laudiana, her eyes lighting up as she recalled the experience. “We learned so many things from creating emails to using the Eskola ba Uma application, connecting WhatsApp to our laptops, and even integrating videos and music into our lessons.”  

The support didn’t stop at training. With new ICT materials such as Laptops, Printers and Projectors provided to the school, 120 teachers from 34 schools can now prepare digital lesson plans, use projectors in class, and print learning materials for students. The classrooms in this school are transforming from conventional teaching learning process to blended approach in line with the 21st century classrooms. 

For Laudiana and her three colleagues from the same school who attended the training, the impact was immediate. When they returned to Searema, the teachers didn’t keep their new knowledge to themselves; they shared what they had learned with others, helping more teachers at the school integrate ICT tools into their daily lessons. 

“Before, when floods came, our school had to stop. Now, our students can continue learning through online platforms like Eskola ba Uma application. We’re no longer cut off during emergencies,” Laudiana said proudly. 

The changes were visible almost right away. “Before, we had to write everything on the board and students copied it by hand,” she added. “Now, we can show them videos, play music, and even let them see animals they have never seen before, all through the screen.” 

Teacher Carmelita, the EBF Searema Coordinator, emphasised how this digital shift is also transforming communication with parents.  “We’ve started using WhatsApp to communicate with students’ parents. It’s much easier now. Before, they had to walk to school just to ask for permission when their child needed to be absent or to get updates about their child’s progress at school. Now, we can coordinate instantly.” 
 

The integration of ICT is not just a technical upgrade; it’s a new way of seeing the world. 

“We used to read stories,” Laudiana smiled, “but now, we can watch them. It brings a new color to our teaching.”  

Thanks to the Government of China, UNICEF, and the Ministry of Education, teachers like us are not only supported with learning and teaching materials but also given the knowledge and confidence to bring technology into our classrooms. 

As Timor-Leste strengthens its education system, the story of teacher Laudiana and EBF Searema reminds us that true change begins with teachers. When educators are supported and equipped, classrooms come alive and even in the most remote corners, children can reach the world beyond their village. 

//End.