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The proposal for the Basic Law on Higher Education was approved by the National Assembly at a plenary session on June 24, 2024 with 38 votes in favor, 9 votes against, and 4 abstentions.
After the final vote, the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Culture, José Honório, said that “this new legal framework will be dedicated to higher education as defined in the political choice of the ninth government, and its purpose is to address the current situation of higher education in Timor-Leste and improve the quality of higher education in Timor-Leste”. 
The Basic Education Act has been in force for more than 14 years. Its purpose is not only to respond to current needs and challenges, but also to ensure quality improvement through the formulation of a dedicated Basic Education Act. As long as matters related to higher education are repealed, almost all of the Basic Education Act will remain in force. 
The measures provided for in the diploma include replacing the Diplomas I and II of technical higher education with the four-semester (two-year) Higher Technical Professional Program (CTePS). Higher technical education institutions can now award professional bachelor’s, bachelor’s, master’s and diplomas, thus correcting the previous inequality in the awarding of higher technical education degrees and diplomas. These measures are intended to promote international academic recognition of students and improve their employment prospects in the field of training. 
The duration of the degree cycle has also changed, now lasting 8 or 10 semesters (4 or 5 years respectively), and the Master’s degree can be awarded after training lasting 12 semesters (including some undergraduates). The degree, comprehensive and indivisible, corresponds to the first eight semesters of the comprehensive Master’s degree program. Taking into account the needs highlighted during the Covid-19 pandemic, the Basic Law on Higher Education includes a criterion authorizing distance learning in this field.
The diploma stipulates that in higher education, Portuguese shall be the main language of teaching, research and instruction, with Tetum as a supporting language in all processes. The State is committed to valuing and developing Tetum with the aim of using it as the main language of higher education in the future. Exceptions to this rule are foreseen, namely foreign language instruction, international cooperation projects and specific projects requiring foreign language instruction.
The proposed law was approved at the Council of Ministers meeting on February 21, 2024
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