Investigation into the population growth and its implications for primary schooling in Timor-Leste by 2020

Abstract

The nation-building process of Timor-Leste, the newest nation in Asia, faces significant demographic challenges due to its high population growth, which is the fastest in Asia. The major contributor for this unprecedented growth is the extremely high total fertility rate of Timor-Leste, among the highest in the world. It is of great concern that if the current fertility rate and its implied population growth continue the population of Timor-Leste will double in 17 years. The analysis in this paper clearly shows that the current extremely high dependency ratio will decline only marginally in the next 10 years and this will put tremendous pressure on the government to constantly keep up with the increasing number of children entering school every year. However, as the intrinsic value of human resource development feeds back into the overall society and economy, an adequate public investment in knowledge-producing services at the earliest stages of life and throughout that life has the potential to change the demographic concern of Timor-Leste into a future demographic dividend.

Parental Education Level and Dental Caries in School Children Living in Dili, Timor-Leste

“…This explains why there was no difference in the prevalence of missing and filled teeth between low and high parental education groups. As noted in a previous article that found overall dental caries experience (dmft + DMFT) was not associated with socioeconomic status, 10 in a developing economy with limited resources, an increasing and youthful population, 1 and increasing sugar consumption, 4 expanding dental service delivery to meet the needs of all children may be difficult. Policies to reduce dental caries experience may include oral health promotion targeted at particular demographic groups, salt fluoridation, supplying affordable toothbrushes and toothpaste, school-based dental health education and screening, and fluoride and fissure sealant programs.…”

“…The Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste (East Timor) became independent in 2002 but has since struggled with poverty and inequality. 1 After an independence referendum in 1999, the pro-Indonesian militia backed by the Indonesian military destroyed 80% of schools and health clinics, and displaced one-third of the population. 1 This coupled with a projected 3-fold increase in the population between 2005 and 2050, 1 gives an indication of the health service delivery problems faced by the Timor-Leste government.…”

The Association of Socioeconomic Status and Dental Caries Experience in Children in Dili, Timor-Leste

“…1 The Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste (East Timor) is one of the poorest countries in the world. 2 It is a tiny half-island country located in the eastern part of Timor Island in Southeast Asia. In 1999, East Timor held a referendum, with 78% of the population voting for independence from Indonesia.…”

“…5 As Asia's newest and fastest growing nation, Timor-Leste faces significant demographic challenges. 2 Little is known about the dental history of Timor-Leste prior to 2002. In 2002, a National Oral Health Survey was undertaken in Timor-Leste.…”

Overcoming Secularism? Catholic development geographies in Timor-Leste

“…38 In terms of programming, it has complicated the distribution of condoms, instead advocating abstinence in a country with growing HIV/AIDS rates and one of the highest population growth rates in the world. 39 In contrast to its progressive international human rights lobbying during the conflict, it now uses its international networks to interfere with and discipline Catholic development organisations that do not accord with its wishes. It was claimed, for example, that Bishop Ricardo contacted a Canadian bishop to assert pressure on Caritas Canada to stop funding a local women's organisation suspected of being pro-abortion.…”