New teaching skills help a young teacher transform her classroom in Timor-Leste

DILI, Timor-Leste (ILO News) - When Maria Eni Rosaria Alves, affectionately known as Mestra Eni, first walked into ETA Natabora Agricultural Technical School as a newly appointed economics teacher, she carried with her a university degree, a passion for teaching, and a quiet sense of uncertainty.

"I felt like I knew what I was doing, but sometimes I was unsure and overwhelmed," she recalled with a smile.

At just 27 years old, Mestra Eni graduated in 2023 from the Dili Institute of Technology with a degree in Business Management, majoring in Financial Management. Teaching had always been her dream, so when ETA Natabora invited her to join as an economics instructor, she accepted immediately.

The training helped me organize my session plans better.

Mestra Eni, economics teacher

But standing in front of a classroom proved far more challenging than she had imagined.

Preparing lesson plans, managing classes, and keeping students engaged required skills she had never formally learned. Like many teachers and trainers across Timor-Leste’s schools and technical institutions, Mestra Eni had strong subject knowledge but limited training in effective teaching methods.

“I did not even know that teachers and trainers were supposed to have Level 3 and Level 4 competency-based certification,” she admitted.

Everything began to change in 2025, when Mestra Eni was selected to join the Certificate Level 3 Competency-Based Education and Training (CBET) programme. The training was delivered by Sentru Treinamentu Vokasional Juventude Comoro (STVJ-Comoro) under the Agroforestry Skills Programme, implemented by the ILO and funded by the European Union.

© Nuncio Da Costa/ILO

© Nuncio Da Costa/ILO

The first week, she recalls, was hard.

"Everything was new. Most of the lessons I had never encountered before," she said. "But by the second week, I started to feel more comfortable. I was able to absorb the lessons better."

By the end of the Level 3 training, Mestra Eni had gained practical skills that completely changed the way she approached her work. She learned how to create safer and more structured learning environments, develop organized lesson plans, monitor student progress, and improve classroom management. Practical training sessions also strengthened her confidence and teaching techniques in ways that theory alone could not.

Her strong performance and dedication during the mentoring and assessment process earned her an unexpected opportunity: a nomination to continue to CBET Level 4.

From 23 March to 24 April 2026, Mestra Eni completed an intensive three-week Level 4 training course at STVJ Comoro, an experience she describes as life changing.

The methods are better and more efficient, from the beginning of a lesson until the end. It also taught me how to prepare myself before teaching. That matters so much.

Mestra Eni, economics teacher

At this stage, teachers and trainers learn more than classroom delivery. They are trained to design competency-based programmes, develop structured lesson plans and practical materials, and assess students based on real workplace performance rather than theory alone. The programme also focuses on learner-centered teaching approaches and adapting lessons to industry needs.

“The training helped me organize my session plans better," Mestra Eni explained.

"The methods are better and more efficient, from the beginning of a lesson until the end. It also taught me how to prepare myself before teaching. That matters so much."

The strongest evidence of Mestra Eni’s transformation can be seen in the experiences of her students.

Naviana Ximenes, one of her students at ETA Natabora, says the difference in the classroom has been clear.

"There has been a great change in the way she teaches us," Naviana says. "The classes are more organized. We do more practical learning, and I understand the lessons more clearly now."

© Nuncio Da Costa/ILO

© Nuncio Da Costa/ILO

For Mestra Eni, the impact of the training goes far beyond her own professional growth. She believes improving teachers’ skills is essential to improving education for students across Timor-Leste.

“It is very important for teachers and trainers to be equipped with this knowledge and these skills,” she said. “So that students, whether they pay to attend school or not, can truly benefit and learn effectively.”

She hopes more teachers and trainers across the country will have access to the same opportunities.

“I hope other teachers and trainers across Timor Leste can also have the chance to improve themselves and become certified trainers.”

When asked what gives her the greatest sense of fulfilment, her answer is immediate and heartfelt.

“My satisfaction comes from seeing my students and the school thrive.”

There has been a great change in the way she teaches us. The classes are more organized. We do more practical learning, and I understand the lessons more clearly now.

Naviana Ximenes, one of her students at ETA Natabora