Construction has begun on the Instituto de Educação Jesuíta in Timor Leste.
The contractor, Community Housing Limited (CHL), started work on August 6, a week after it was appointed. It has eight months to build phase one of the institute as the secondary school unit, Colégio de Santo Inácio de Loiolá, begins operations in January 2013. Phase one consists of classrooms and other teaching facilities as well as the entrance and road leading into the institute. The first block of classrooms will be ready by January 2013. Two other sets of classrooms will be completed by March 2013.
Work to clear the land in preparation for construction began weeks ago and was aided by a group of 16 students from Jesuit and partner schools in Australia who came with three teachers. (See Timor Leste Immersion) link to story
The recruitment of students for Colégio de Santo Inácio de Loiolá is already underway. There is a three-stage selection process. On August 2 and 3, the 102 applicants sat for entrance examinations that focused on the Portuguese language, natural sciences and mathematics. Stage two comprised interviews with the students and their parents. This was done on August 11 and 12. The final stage of the selection process is a two-day camp in December. The names of the successful applicants to the school will be announced on December 17.