Sustainable Development Goals
The Project
The IT Teacher-Mentor in Aileu Municipality Youth Centre and Aileu Technical Vocational School will build the capacity of teachers in rural Timor‑Leste to use basic digital tools confidently and independently by providing practical, hands‑on training and mentoring in foundational computer skills, essential software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), and safe digital practices, using simple, offline‑friendly methods suited to low‑resource school environments. The mentor will also support teachers and students to apply digital skills in their daily work by developing reusable resources, modelling technology‑enhanced teaching strategies, and mentoring local “digital champions” who can continue training, troubleshooting, and sustaining digital learning long after the mentoring ends.
The Location
Timor-Leste is one of Australia’s nearest neighbours and the poorest country in our region but has much to offer in terms of beauty and adventure. Despite almost 400 years of neglect during the Portuguese colonial period, Japanese invasion, and Indonesia’s occupation from 1975 -2001, Timor Leste is now a new vibrant democracy enjoying its independence. Governance systems are being established and rebuilding of infrastructure destroyed by Indonesian backed militias in 1999 – 2000 is happening.
Timor Leste is a young nation where 59 percent of the population is under 25 years of age. Among the many challenges facing the government are how to ensure all children receive an education from primary to high school, and that employment opportunities are available once leaving high school or university.
Aileu is a municipality, and was formerly a district, of Timor-Leste. It has a population of 48,554 and an area of 737 km2. The municipality’s capital is also named Aileu.
The Challenge
Around 70% of Timor‑Leste’s population lives in rural areas. These communities face weaker infrastructure, fewer services, limited employment pathways, and ongoing digital isolation. National youth analysis identifies education and skills gaps as major barriers to youth participation and employment, with rural young people experiencing lower school completion rates due to distance, transport challenges, teacher shortages, and language barriers across Tetun, local languages, and Portuguese.
At the same time, many teachers in rural areas have had limited exposure to computers, making it difficult for them to integrate digital tools into teaching or support students in developing essential 21st‑century skills. Teachers often lack confidence in basic digital tasks such as typing, file management, email, safe browsing, and using practical tools like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and simple AI applications. Without targeted mentoring, these gaps restrict both teaching quality and students’ future opportunities.
Intensive, hands‑on mentoring combined with simple, reusable teaching materials offer a sustainable way to build teachers’ confidence and competence.
About You
Palms participants for this placement will need to demonstrate the following qualifications, skills, and attributes:
• IT qualifications or university graduate
• English speaker (so can teach in English)
• Proficiency in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, other basic computer functions and ability to transfer this skill.
• Relevant experience in teaching youth and young adults.
• Proven experience in working with and effectively communicating with youth with limited language skills.
• Skills in developing, implementing, and reviewing youth related programs.
• Training expertise across design, delivery, implementation, and assessment.
• Ability to work collaboratively within a team in community contexts.
• A commitment to teamwork, coaching, and mentoring others.
• Patience, adaptability, and flexibility in responding to diverse challenges.
• Cultural sensitivity and openness to engaging within a diverse cultural context.
• The ability to cope with cultural isolation and different living standards.
• Commitment to serve in Aileu for a minimum of 12 months and up to two years, working with limited resources and facilities.
• Willingness to engage their Australian community in promoting the work of the host organisation and their role.
How You Will Help
First, you must be willing to learn from the local community.
Over the first few weeks you are asked not to change anything or suggest a change to operations. During this period, you will take the time to learn language and cultural mores from a local counterpart willing to mentor you. You will also start a register of the strengths of the current personnel and the assets in the community/country that might be used to achieve the goals of the assignment.
You need to commit to clarifying why things are done the way they are rather than presuming from your own cultural lens to outline what is missing. So, you need to ask questions to enable you to learn from your hosts, rather than in ignorance make suggestions about how things can improve. Palms training will prepare you for this approach.
From then onward, you will apply your expertise in the following areas:
- Build Teacher Capacity in Basic Digital Skills
- Deliver hands‑on training in foundational computer skills such as typing, file management, email use, and safe digital practices.
- Train teachers to use essential software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) for lesson preparation, record‑keeping, and school administration.
- Provide simple, offline‑friendly learning activities suited to rural school environments.
Offer one‑on‑one coaching to build teacher confidence and independence in using digital tools.
- Develop Practical and Reusable Digital Resources
- Create step‑by‑step guides, templates, and teaching materials that teachers can use repeatedly.
- Organise digital resources into accessible folders or USB drives for easy use in low‑connectivity settings.
- Produce examples of worksheets, reading texts, and presentations that model good digital practice.
- Support Teachers to Integrate Technology into Daily Teaching
- Demonstrate how digital tools can enhance lessons and classroom activities.
Model technology‑enhanced teaching strategies during co‑teaching or demonstration sessions. - Guide teachers to apply digital skills directly in their lesson planning and classroom delivery.
- Mentor and Develop Local “Digital Champions”
- Identify motivated teachers or youth who can take on leadership roles in digital learning.
- Provide additional coaching to these individuals so they can continue training others.
Support digital champions to troubleshoot basic technical issues and maintain equipment after the project ends.