UNICEF Timor-Leste
Terms of Reference (TOR) for Institutional Contract
grou Nature of Consultancy:
Ministry of Education, with the support of UNICEF, started the development of the Timor-Leste primary school curriculum in
2003, and to date, efforts have made on implementing the new primary school curriculum [grade 1-6] and initiate the presecondary [7th to 9th Grade/3rd Cycle] curriculum development process.
Upon the request of the Ministry of Education, UNICEF will continue to support the curriculum project to adjust and
finalizing the 3rd Cycle curriculum documents [statement, implementation plan, syllabus and teaching/learning materials] in
accordance with the new National Education Policy and Education Base Law, so that it provides continuity in terms of
content, pedagogy and philosophy with the primary school curriculum. For the 3rd Cycle, the curriculum statement and
implementation plan has been drafted and authorized by the Ministry of Education. The National Directorate of Curriculum,
Materials and Evaluation have been tasked to lead curriculum development process.
The Pre-secondary Curriculum Statement was developed based on a wide-ranging series of consultations with
stakeholders concerning the scope and direction of pre-secondary curriculum reform that is required to overcome the
current discontinuities between the new primary curriculum and the current pre-secondary curriculum, and hence to being
the process of improving the quality of pre-secondary schooling. In addition, the new National Education Policy 2007-2012
and the Education Base Law, that outlines the new education system, will provide the basis for the new Basic School.
Principles of the new curriculum:
The new primary school curriculum is substantially different to previous primary school curricula used in Timor-Leste. First,
in terms of content, it includes material that is local, regional and global, and it includes information about the history,
natural sciences, societies, arts and cultures of Timor-Leste. In relation to pedagogy, it employs a student-centred,
participatory approach to teaching and learning. As far as philosophy is concerned, the syllabus focuses on learning
objectives, while the teachers’ guides provide teachers with ideas about activities that can help achieve these objectives.
The current pre-secondary curriculum was adopted as a transitory curriculum adapted to the context of Timor-Leste.
The future curriculum for the 3rd Cycle of Basic Education should therefore be harmonized with the primary school
curriculum.
The 7th, 8th and 9th grades of Basic Education will include the following Subjects: Portuguese, Tetum, English, Mathematic,
Physical and Natural Sciences (Biology, Geology, Physics and Chemistry), Social Sciences (History, Geography), Physical
Education, Health and Hygiene, Religious and Moral Education, Arts and Culture (Visual Education, Music and Dancing),
Civil Education and Citizenship, and Life and work skills.
Purpose of Assignment:
The purpose of this assignment is to support the Ministry of Education by developing and implementing of the new
Basic Education Curriculum, in particular for the 3rd Cycle, by:
a) Ensuring that the ground work is laid for an adequate and relevant Basic Education curriculum system, produced by
involving the technical unit of Ministry of Education, is in place,;
b) Strengthening competencies of teachers, curriculum developers and managers in curriculum development practices.
Work Assignments and Work Schedule: Deliverables/End Product (s) and Time Frame
Activity
Phase 1
Prepare for the curriculum development process by consulting with
stakeholders, review, analyze and update the curriculum statement and
implementation plan for the new Basic Education curriculum.
1. Review the draft Pre-Secondary Curriculum Statement in relation to
the new Education Policy and the Education Base Law
2. Review/Analyze the pre-primary and primary curriculum documents
and if necessary, conduct gap or other relevant studies
3. Obtain information through relevant studies and document analysis
4. Orient Ministry of Education and UNICEF on the findings
5. Provide guidance to the members of the subject groups established
by Ministry of Education and establish a working plan with the group
members
6. Update the Statement and Implementation plan to cover the entire 9
Expected Outputs
Basic Education Curriculum Statement
and Implementation plan submitted to the
Ministry of Education.
( November 2008-January 2009)
grades of Basic Education Curriculum.
Phase 2
Develop Syllabus and relevant teaching/learning materials for 3rd Cycle
1. Development of syllabus [programas] for the 11 subjects
–
Orient the subject working groups on the outcome of the analysis
in relation to universal curriculum standards
–
Guide the Subject working groups in the curriculum options and
selection of contents, like sequencing, progression, and adequacy
to the age and learning levels of the Timor-Leste students
–
Analyse and ensure the coherence of the various elements
composing the Syllabus, especially in relation to primary school
curriculum
2. Development of teacher manuals/guides
Guide the Subject working groups in the development of a curriculum
framework including identification, and if necessary further development
of teaching and learning materials for the subjects of the Basic Education
curriculum.
Phase 3
Pilot implementation of the 3rd Cycle curriculum
– Develop and prepare pilot implementation plan and relevant resources
– Support MoE in the overall orientation of the pre-secondary teachers
– Monitor the overall implementation of the pilot programme.
– Provide technical guidance and support to the National Directorate of
Curriculum, Materials and Evaluation, and the subject working groups
– Present the result of the pilot to the Ministry of Education and UNICEF
Phase 4
Revise and finalize the curriculum for 3rd Cycle
–
–
–
Analyse findings of the pilot project experience
Revise the content of the curriculum
Present documents for approval by the Ministry of Education

Draft Syllabus documents
developed

Develop draft Teacher Guides and
recommend complementary
teaching and learning materials
(February – June 2009)
Piloting training programme for
teachers, preparation of training
materials and school monitoring
Monthly progress reports highlighting
progress, advantages, disadvantages,
issues, and recommendations
(July – October)
Finalize all documents with the subject
working groups and Ministry of Education.
(November – December)
1. Estimated Duration of Assignment:
November 2008 – December 2009
Qualifications or Specialized Knowledge /Experience Required
1.) Government accredited/recognized institution
2.) Extensive experience in curriculum development, including in development of syllabus for the relevant subjects
3.) Extensive experience in school curriculum reform in the context of developing countries
4.) Upholds high academically and professional standards
5.) Experience in leading curriculum projects in developing countries
6.) Experienced from multicultural and multi-stakeholder environment
7.) Upholds capacity to work in English and Portuguese language is essential; knowledge of Bahasa Indonesian
and Tetum desirable.
MoE Overall Project Coordination
The Ministry of Education will ensure overall coordination of the Basic Education Curriculum development. All decisions on
the process, all approvals and the resolution of all situations where there is no agreement between the team elements and
the consultants shall belong to the Ministry.
Work Place:
At Ministry of Education, Timor Leste and exceptionally with the agreement of the Ministry of Education through distant
mode.