Speaking at the Dili Convention Center on Friday, Soares said the Ministry of Education “prohibited” teachers and students engaging in political speech during school hours from Monday to Friday, amid concern students would be bullied to support various political parties.

In the lead-up to the presidential election on March 20, Soares said the education department would work hard to ensure students continued to enjoy a rich learning environment free from political persuasion. 

He said citizens had a right to choose what political party they followed, but urged parents and students to ensure students were not being indoctrinated with political ideology they did not understand.