Life-long learning
Permaculture in schools program
In recognition of the role of young people in ensuring the long-term sustainability of Timor-Leste and our planet, Permatil focuses on initiatives to help youth lead the way for the future. As a result of Permatil’s work and advocacy, Timor-Leste is the first country to incorporate a permaculture school gardens program in the national primary curriculum.
Through the Permaculture in schools program, 224 schools have joined the program, planting the seed for sustainable practices in younger generations, with more than 41,000 students directly benefiting.
Living laboratories
The permaculture school gardens program is designed to embed learning in a ‘living laboratory’ within the school setting for every primary school-aged child, with support from teachers and community volunteers. The program helps build practical skills and generational learning in sustainable land, food and water management – setting children up to become informed, confident and experienced in environmental regeneration and climate adaptation practices, within their communities or beyond.
Acknowledged as ‘centres for generational learning’, the program teaches students about water conservation, basic plant biology, nutrition and food production, climate mitigation and adaptation, and sustainability. An external evaluation of the program (Toos Permakultura Iha Eskola Evaluation report 2019) highlighted the programs effectiveness in building capacity through the spread of knowledge and practical skills, as volunteers and students pass on knowledge to their families.
National curriculum
Permatil continue to influence the national curriculum, working closely with the Ministry of Education to develop the primary and secondary school social science curriculum.
