An integrated proposal for a rural school curriculum and physical infrastructure reform on Ataúro Island, Timor-Leste: a case report

This report presents a case study on an integrated proposal that aims to empower youth through a reform of the rural school curriculum and physical infrastructure on Ataúro Island, Timor-Leste. One of the poorest nations in the world, Timor-Leste has a predominantly young population, with 64.6% of its inhabitants under age 30 years and 35% under age 15 years. To capitalize on this demographic dividend, prompt and comprehensive education reforms are needed to enhance the quality of education and the productive capacity of the population. This paper focuses on Ataúro, an island in Timor-Leste with 10,295 inhabitants. In 2022, 44% of youths not attending school and 21% of the adults were either unemployed or economically inactive. This study presents a pilot project aimed to identify the major challenges faced by students and educators on Ataúro Island. Using a qualitative design and a convenience sample method, data were gathered through field research and analysis of official documents. The findings of this research contribute to a proposal for a concept zoning design intervention for the school aligned with a curriculum review for the local school. The project suggests that creating innovative learning environments can facilitate the transformation of school practices in a community-centered approach. This approach empowers students to address their villages' main hurdles and develop new perspectives, skills, and ways of living in their communities.
Keywords: Education reform, Learning spaces, Community education, Sustainable architecture, Bio-based design