Marist Brothers open their first school in Timor-Leste

Colégio Marista Lautém was officially opened on September 3, some 25 years after the Brothers first arrived in the country. The Marist-administered Teachers’ College (Instituto Católico para Formação de Professores – ICFP) was established in 2003, and the Brothers began accepting Timorese candidates in 2012.

Colégio Marista Lautém principal Br Paul Kane said the Brothers in 2013 wrote to Bishop Basilio do Nascimento, the bishop of the Diocese of Baucau, and offered to establish a Marist-owned and governed school within the Diocese.

“Bishop Basilio warmly welcomed the proposal, acknowledging the high-quality teacher formation provided at ICFP under Marist leadership and expressing confidence in the Brothers’ ability to deliver an excellent education and Christian formation for future leaders in Timor-Leste,” Br Kane said.

After a selection process with broad consultation, Lautem, 57 kilometres east of Baucau, was identified as the preferred site for the first Marist school in Timor-Leste, Br Kane said.

“Bishop Basilio identified Lautem as a pastoral priority for the Church. As the easternmost district of Timor-Leste, it was the last to be served by the Church’s mission. The majority of Lautem’s residents are poor, relying on subsistence farming or fishing for their livelihoods.

“The Lautem sub-district lacked Catholic schools, and the local representative of the Ministry of Education identified secondary and early childhood education as the most pressing unmet needs in the district.”

Br Kane said the new college has started with two levels (year 1 and year 3) this year, and it will grow annually to eventually offer a comprehensive education from year 1 through year 12 for both boys and girls.

Boarding accommodation will be provided from year 7 onwards, which is likely to bring enrolments from further afield. Stage 1 of the physical development is nearing completion.

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On the 25th Anniversary of the Mission in Timor-Leste: Newly Inaugurated Colégio Marista Lautém Expands the Reach of Marist Education (Marist Star)