EI’s mission to help its affiliate the East Timor Teacher Union (ETTU) resume its activities has been postponed due to civil unrest.
"Dili is in great tension. Districts of Covalima, Bobonaro, Ermera, Aileu, Ainaro, Manufahi and Same are in state of emergency," wrote Victor Soares, Vice President of ETTU.
The union reports that the office of the Ministry of Education in Vila-Verde was attacked by arsonists, and that consequently teaching was interrupted in Dili.
EI's Chief Regional Coordinator Aloysius Mathews was to visit the region to help union officials restore the office and administration of ETTU. This had been destroyed, with equipment and furniture looted, at the initial stages of conflict.
ETTU leaders have been forced to return to their respective regions for safety and, as a result, the union has been unable to hold significant activities for the past three weeks
EI’s visit will be rescheduled as soon as the situation in the country improves.