About – EN
Achieve BETTER Together
The Bakhita School of Excellence was officially founded in 2023 by BETTER (Building East Timor Through Education/Resources) in partnership with the Diocese of Dili. The parties came together with the vision of providing an international standard of education that is accessible to all those in Timor irrespective of their location or economic situation.
The Timor Leste Strategic Plan 2011-2030 uses the word “education” 273 times in its 228-page document and states “the true wealth of any nation is in the strength of its people*.”
This is further supported by the long-term vision of Timor-Leste, “By 2030, the people of Timor-Leste will be educated and knowledgeable, able to live long and productive lives, and have access to a quality education that will allow them to participate in the economic, social and political development of our nation*.”
In Timor-Leste, 70% of students fail to meet basic year one learning outcomes and 58% of Timorese left or never attended school. With a young population where 50% are 19 years old or younger, education is a pathway out of poverty and into prosperity. This is a shared belief by BETTER, the Diocese and the Government.
The Bakhita School of Excellence set out to improve the status quo with the aspiration to set a new national standard of education in Timor-Leste that will lift these statistics to international standards.
* Timor-Leste Strategic Development Plan 2011-2030, Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, https://www.adb.org/sites/default/files/linked-documents/cobp-tim-2014-2016-sd-02.pdf
The Vision
To be a leader in education, characterised by its Christian values, creating a global vision that inspires hope.
The Mission
Provide an international standard of education from Foundation to Year 12 that is accessible to all those in Timor and enables economic, social and political development of the nation. Fostered in its school values and Christian values, students don’t just learn for themselves but for their community and country, creating courageous leaders of tomorrow.
School Values
Empowerment
The education-based approach enables students to learn for themselves, their family, community and country with a commitment to using their international standard of education to inspire change, transformation and hope.
Innovation
By having the courage to think differently, educate differently and challenge the status quo, new results can be produced, providing improved, sustainable and transformational change.
Accountability
An impact-driven approach means everyone values their integrity and takes responsibility for their actions.
Passion for People
People are the centre of education. By having respect, compassion and a commitment to each other, together great change can be achieved.
Sustainability
In providing long-term impact and change and not band-aid solutions, hope and progress is restored to educational outcomes, communities and the environment.
Achieve BETTER Together
2023-2030
The Strategic Vision
By the year 2030, children across Timor-Leste will have access to a BETTER education, creating a global vision of hope. This education, characterised by its Christian values, will give Timor-Leste a hand up through revolutionary education, not a handout. The mission will be enhanced by the pursuit of educational excellence, creating internationally minded leaders who will go on to serve and transform their country.