Building preschools in Baucau, giving space to learn and play

Lisa Lynn Hill

UNICEF Timor-Leste/LHill

The music starts playing, and about 50 preschoolers begin quacking like a duck and singing along to the dance moves. “I love it when we sing and dance; I feel happy,” shouts Celcia, a six-year-old student at Bucoli preschool in Baucau.

“I can write my name. Let me show you,” exclaims Cornelio. He says his favourite part of the day is when the teacher works with them on writing the ABCs and numbers.

UNICEF Timor-Leste/LHillJackelina has been teaching at the Bucoli preschool for over a couple of years.

Jackelina is a kind-faced and energetic preschool teacher. For now, they use the community centre as a preschool, located behind Bucoli Primary School. The room is small and dark, with supplies for the community that get pushed to the side for class. Sometimes she lets the students use the outdoor space for games when they really have a lot of energy, being careful amongst the unfinished flooring.

“Children would come to Grade 1 for the first time at age 6–7. We would spend more time teaching them numbers and writing than what the curriculum allows. The Ministry of Education has realized it is time for a preschool in this area,” says Leonilda Boavida da Costa, Coordinator at the Bucoli School.

UNICEF Timor-Leste/LHillThe preschoolers are excited that they will soon have a new preschool built to accommodate all of them.

Construction of a new preschool will begin in July with support from UNICEF and funding from the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), as part of a broader effort with the Government of Timor-Leste to expand early childhood education in rural communities. Across municipalities like Baucau, the initiative is helping to bring safe, child-friendly preschools closer to families who previously had little or no access.

The new school will be disability-inclusive and have two large classrooms, each designed for 40 students, giving young children a safe and stimulating space to learn and grow. The full programme will support dozens of preschools and reach thousands of children aged 3–5, while also strengthening teacher training and community support.

Jackelina has been a volunteer teacher for over two years, since the preschool opened. “I saw all the children here, and my spirit was moved to help them. I attended INFORDEPE (Ministry of Education Teacher Training Institute) to be able to teach at my best,” she says. UNICEF also provides ongoing teacher capacity-building.

For now, the temporary space is wall-to-wall with the current class of 68 students. “More parents will send their children to preschool once the new building is complete, and at the proper ages of 3–5. Right now, we can only take age 5 students because of the high number and limited space.” Teacher Jackelina says the number of children slowly increases in every class. “Children will have a safe space to play and to run as they need to.”

UNICEF Timor-Leste/LHillCornelio and Celcia are playing a game with their teacher, Jackelina.

Alongside the new buildings, the programme is also investing in teachers and communities, so that children not only have a place to learn but also receive quality early education that supports their development from the very beginning.

“We now have almost all of our Grade 1 students pass to Grade 2 because they attended preschool,” says Coordinator Leonilda.

Preschool is not just preparation for school; it is a critical investment in a child’s future. It helps children develop the basic skills they need to learn, build confidence, and thrive from their very first day in the classroom. Yet many children in Timor-Leste still miss out on this opportunity, especially in rural areas.

UNICEF Timor-Leste/LHillOnce the new preschool is built, the students will have their own safe space that’s big enough to learn through play.

By working with the Ministry of Education, UNICEF, with support from  the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), is helping to change that by expanding access to safe, inclusive, and quality early learning so that every child, no matter where they are born, has the chance to begin life with a strong foundation and reach their full potential.