Celebrating 25 Years of Marists in Timor-Leste: The Journey of ICFP and Educational Renewal
- maristbrothers
- Sep 10
- 5 min read
A quarter-century ago, in the wake of Timor-Leste’s struggle for independence, the foundations of education lay amid rubble and hope. It was in this fragile landscape that the Instituto Católico para Formação de Professores (ICFP) was born - thanks to the vision of the then Bishop Basilio do Nascimento and the pioneering efforts of the Marist Brothers.
Since becoming Director in 2018, Br Paul Gilchrist has guided the Institute through growth and renewal, witnessing its rise from early adversity to a vital force for opportunity and transformation in Timor-Leste.
In conversation with the Star Post, Br Paul reflects on ICFP’s origins, challenges overcome, and its enduring mission of service and solidarity.
How did ICFP begin - what is its origin story?
ICFP began in the early 2000s, when the Marist Brothers accepted an invitation from Bishop Basilio do Nascimento of the Diocese of Baucau to help establish a teacher training facility in Timor-Leste. When the first Brothers - Mark Paul and Canute Sheehan (Australia), and Manuel da Silva (Portugal) - arrived on 1 September 2000, they encountered a country in ruins. After the independence referendum, almost every aspect of the country’s infrastructure had been devastated leaving it in ashes.
In the midst of this, the Brothers and volunteers from Australia, Portugal, Brazil, and Timor-Leste set up a steering committee. Their first priority was to support the many unqualified teachers who had stepped into classrooms after the Indonesian teachers departed. They ran in-service workshops on everything from classroom management and science teaching to educational leadership, reconciliation, and creating teaching aids from local materials.
At the same time, the committee began exploring how to create a Catholic teachers’ college in a country with almost no tertiary education structures. They were fortunate to receive strong backing from Australian Catholic University (ACU). Professor Gabrielle McMullen laid the groundwork for a degree program, supported by Professors Jude Butcher and Tony D’Arbon.
In 2002, Margie Beck was seconded from ACU to lead course development, and by September 2003 the first Bachelor of Teaching students were enrolled.
The college - by then named Instituto Católico para Formação de Professores (ICFP) - was formally opened in November 2003.
What were some of the challenges faced in the early years?
Our earliest days were shaped by scarcity - scarcity of resources, trained teachers, and stable infrastructure. The Institute relied on Diocesan classrooms and rented houses for its facilities. Most of the teaching staff were volunteers from Australia, Aotearoa New Zealand, Brazil, with Timorese tutors learning on the job.
From these modest beginnings, a process of ‘Timorisation’ gradually took hold, so now almost all lecturers and senior staff are Timorese.
Professional development was a top priority. In March 2004, Professor Peter Sheehan, Vice Chancellor of ACU, established a fund for staff to study towards Australian Masters degrees. The qualifications were hard won, with the first five staff graduating in 2011 and another five in 2012. By 2024, eighteen had obtained Masters degrees - a remarkable achievement, especially since the Timorese government did not recognise these qualifications until February 2020.
Most ICFP students come from extremely low socio-economic backgrounds and have no means to pursue tertiary studies without support. The generosity of donors in Australia, including scholarships, has changed lives and given young Timorese access to positive education. The impact of that generosity, and of our graduates, will be felt for generations.
Funding has been another constant challenge. Financial support has arrived from organisations such as the European Union, Caritas Sweden, UNESCO, Manos Unidas (Spain), Children in Crisis (Britain), government and independent schools in Australia and New Zealand, the eMerge Foundation, Misereor (Germany), Lenity (Australia), and many more. Yet, sustaining operations remains an ongoing task; the search for new donors is critical for our future.
How has the Institute evolved over the past 25 years?
The growth has been remarkable. Between 2006 and 2025, more than 1,100 students have graduated. A recent survey that we conducted of 520 alumni showed that almost 95% are employed - up from around 70% just a few years earlier. About 83% of them work in education, mainly as classroom teachers in public and private elementary schools, while others serve in government, NGOs, and the private sector.
Graduates are spread across nearly every district in Timor-Leste, with many working in remote rural areas. This highlights their commitment to bringing quality education to communities that need it most. Alumni consistently say their ICFP studies prepared them well for their work, and they rate their experience of the lecturers, curriculum, and learning environment very positively.
How has ICFP contributed to the wider Church, society, and education system in Timor-Leste?
ICFP is recognised nationwide for producing outstanding primary and junior secondary teachers. Its graduates are employed across both government and Catholic schools, and the Institute has built strong relationships with the Ministry of Education and with Catholic Education. In this way, its impact extends well beyond the college itself, strengthening the whole education system of Timor-Leste.
In what ways has the Marist charism shaped the mission and work of the Institute?
The Marist spirit is woven through everything ICFP does. There’s a strong emphasis on family spirit, unconditional care for students, and what Marcellin described as “a heart that knows no bounds.” The Institute seeks to form not just skilled teachers, but “good Christians and good citizens” - women and men of faith, service, and integrity.
Top left: Jim Jolley with Bishop Nascimento – discussing the Brothers’ mission and arrival in Baucau late 1999.
Top Middle: Brothers Michael Herry, Mark Paul, Stephen Bugg and Manuel da Silva – early 2002
Top Right Br John Horgan with ICFP staff and volunteers – about 2008
Bottom left: Br Canute Sheehan with a group of children in 2002.
Middle left: Br Lecio Heckler and Br Tony Clarke, and Br Pedrinho with aspirants in 2016.
Bottom Right: Br Mark Paul with local chiefs in 2002.
Looking ahead, what do you see as the hopes and future directions for ICFP?
The vision is to keep strengthening ICFP’s role as a centre of excellence for teacher formation in Timor-Leste. That means continuing to support Timorese leadership at every level, expanding access for students from disadvantaged backgrounds, and ensuring long-term financial sustainability. Above all, the hope is that future generations of ICFP graduates will carry forward the mission: to provide quality education for the children of Timor-Leste, especially in rural and marginalised communities.
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