The recent Education Cluster Meeting, led by the ETR Regional Superior, Fr. Erik John, J. Gerilla, SJ, brought together leaders and collaborators from Intituto São João de Brito (ISJB), Colégio Santo Inácio de Loiola (CSIL), and Nossa Senhora de Fátima (NOSSEF)-Railaco to reflect on the shared mission of Jesuit education in Timor-Leste. The focus was on reaffirming alignment to the Apostolic Plan (2025–2030)—with priorities centered on Faith, Justice, Reconciliation, Family, and Ecology—and strengthening unity across the Jesuits’ educational institutions.
The meeting highlighted the core mission of Jesuit education: to promote justice, foster reconciliation, nurture faith, and form students into compassionate leaders who care for others and the environment. Schools were encouraged to deepen their alignment with Ignatian values by embedding spiritual formation, moral conscience, peace education, and ecological awareness into their daily practices.
Concrete initiatives are already underway:
ISJB; continues to lead in spiritual and leadership formation.
CSIL; is focusing on student accompaniment, holistic growth, and justice education.
NOSSEF; is promoting re-evangelization, environmental leadership, and outreach to poor families.
However, challenges persist. Schools are called to review and clarify roles, strengthen curriculum coherence, and improve communication and collaboration. Particular concerns include limited teacher training, weak foundational education at NOSSEF, lack of parent engagement, and inconsistencies in student discipline and care. Teachers and staff must be better supported and formed to uphold Ignatian pedagogy and values across all contexts.
A shared desire was voiced for deeper collaboration among schools—through shared resources, joint programs, teacher exchanges, and common pastoral activities—to strengthen the identity as one Jesuit education body. The Regional Superior emphasized the need for clearer direction, internal coordination, and the importance of “walking together in mission.”
The meeting closed with a strong call to action:
Enhance unity among Jesuit school
Prioritize student formation rooted in faith and justice
Strengthen environmental and social responsibility
Engage families and local communities more actively
Support teachers with training and accompaniment
This Education Cluster Meeting was a reminder that the mission is not only to educate minds but to form hearts. As they look ahead, they encourage to live out the Ignatian vision—with one heart and one mission—in service of the young people of Timor-Leste.
[Writer: Iriana Soares–ETR Communications Officer]
