Aims and challenges of the new General Secondary Education curriculum in the promotion of STS inter-relations: a study developed within the Timor Project

Abstract

The work is based on research developed in the project “Evaluation of the Impact of the Restructuring of the Secondary Education Curriculum in East Timor – a Study in the Framework of International Cooperation”. Starting from the recognized importance of a practice/praxis aligned with the ScienceTechnology- Society (STS) movement, the study intended to determine: if and how the Curriculum Plan of General Secondary Education (CPGSE) and the discipline programs of the Science and Technology Component (STC) were aligned with this movement; the extent of knowledge of the Portuguese/Timorese trainers and also of the Timorese teachers of this component in terms of STS dimensions, principles and approaches; if the STS perspective was being mobilized by trainers and teachers in their practice; and what aspects of STC education the STC students were reporting. Essentially qualitative research was developed by involving policy makers/managers, Portuguese/ Timoresetrainers and also Timorese teachers/students/. Data collection techniques included the collection of documents, direct observation and inquiry. The data were subjected to content analysis. The results showed that the CPGSE and STC discipline programs were aligned with STS perspectives; that Portuguese trainers were familiar with and mobilized such perspectives; that some Timorese trainers/teachers had also begun to take ownership of them; and that Timorese students were keen to be actively involved in the construction of knowledge and in the development and mobilization of appropriate decision-making skills to solve local social problems. Thus, there is an urgent need to continue teacher training to enable them to develop such guidance more effectively.