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Maharlika International School

Timor Leste, Dili

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The school at a glance
Fees $1,900 - 3,150
Ages Not listed
Opened 2008
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum Bespoke Curriculum
Taught languages English, Filipino, Tetum, Portuguese
Strengths Languages, Academic Enrichment, Service and Sustainability
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Leadership and Professional, Social and Hobbies
Stages Preschool, Kindergarten, Elementary, Middle School, Secondary School, Senior Secondary School
Introduction

Maharlika International School (MIS) in Fatuhada, Dili, Timor-Leste operates as a Philippine School Overseas and adapts the K-12 curriculum for Preschool through Senior High. The Preparatory program (Kindergarten 1–2) is accredited by East Timor's Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports; accreditation for Elementary, Junior High, and Senior High is ongoing. Tetum is taught from Grade 1 to Grade 8; English, Filipino, Tetum, and Portuguese are offered through Language Arts across levels. The program runs from Preparatory to Senior High, with a General Academic Strand in Senior High designed to prepare students for college, focusing on Humanities, Social Sciences, and related subjects, plus modules on organization, disaster preparedness, and Empowerment Technologies. MIS moved to Rua Fatuhada in 2010 and is only PSO with a DepEd permit to adapt its curriculum. It hosts Outreach Program with Santa Bakhita Orphanage, provides scholarships, and includes Maharlikan Journalists, Student Council, and planned Sports & Culture Club.

Fatuhada, Comoro (Near the Australian Embassy), Dili, Timor-Leste

The Essentials

Location
The school is located in Dili, East Timor (Timor-Leste). It is a Philippine School Overseas operating in East Timor.

Stages
The school offers Preschool (Kindergarten 1–2), Elementary (Grades 1–6), Junior High School (Grades 7–10), and Senior High School (Grades 11–12).

Country affiliation
The Philippines; Philippine School Overseas (PSO) in East Timor.
Diving Deeper

Uniform Requirement
Uniforms are required; there is a prescribed Maharlikan official uniform.

Governance and Ownership
The school is governed by its Founder & Executive Director, Martin Banaken Papay Jr., who founded Maharlika International School (Dili Education & Development Center) and has served as Founder & Executive Director since September 8, 2008.
Fees

Annual tuition at Maharlika International School ranges from USD 1,900 to USD 3,150 for 2026/27.

Published academic year
The published schedule lists school fees for the Academic Year 2022-2023.

Application / Enrollment / Administration fee
- Administration / Miscellaneous Fee: USD 300.00 (applies at enrollment).

Tuition fees by programme (annual) and instalment amount
- Preparatory (Kindergarten 1 & 2): Tuition USD 1,500.00 per academic year. Monthly instalment when paid in 10 instalments: USD 150.00. Miscellaneous fee USD 300.00. Laboratory fee: not applicable.
- Primary (Grades 1–3): Tuition USD 2,000.00 per academic year. Monthly instalment when paid in 10 instalments: USD 200.00. Miscellaneous fee USD 300.00. Laboratory fee USD 100.00.
- Intermediate (Grades 4–6): Tuition USD 2,200.00 per academic year. Monthly instalment when paid in 10 instalments: USD 220.00. Miscellaneous fee USD 300.00. Laboratory fee USD 100.00.
- Junior High School (Grades 7–10): Tuition USD 2,500.00 per academic year. Monthly instalment when paid in 10 instalments: USD 250.00. Miscellaneous fee USD 300.00. Laboratory fee USD 75.00.
- Senior High School (Grades 11–12): Tuition USD 2,750.00 per academic year. Monthly instalment when paid in 10 instalments: USD 275.00. Miscellaneous fee USD 300.00. Laboratory fee: not applicable.

Fees payable on enrollment
- Required at enrollment: Administration/Miscellaneous fee, Text books (cost borne by family), Laboratory fee where applicable, Completion/Graduation fee (where applicable), first instalment of tuition (tuition may be divided into 10 instalments), and research fee for Grade 12 where applicable.
- Completion / Graduation fee: USD 100.00 for Kindergarten 2 and for Grades 6, 10 and 12 (payable on enrollment for those cohorts).

Billing schedule and payment terms
- The tuition balance may be paid in full, quarterly, or monthly instalments. The published instalment plan divides the annual tuition into 10 instalments. Instalment due dates are: July 3 (2nd instalment), August 3 (3rd), September 3 (4th), October 3 (5th), November 3 (6th), December 3 (7th), January 3 (8th), February 3 (9th) and March 3 (10th). All instalments paid after the due date incur a 10% penalty per month until the instalment account is fully paid. Instalments for late enrollees are adjusted based on the remaining term of the academic year.

Laboratory, textbooks, uniform and other costs
- Laboratory fees: shown per programme where applicable (USD 100.00 for Primary and Intermediate; USD 75.00 for Junior High; no laboratory fee listed for Preparatory and Senior High). Miscellaneous fee USD 300.00 applies across programmes. Textbooks, uniforms and school supplies are not included in the tuition figures and must be purchased separately by the family. The schedule also references a research fee for Grade 12 but does not list a separate amount.

Boarding fees
- No boarding fees are listed and no boarding programme or boarding fee schedule is indicated in the published fee information.

Refunds and refunds policy
- A published refunds policy or specific refund terms are not provided in the fee information.

Fee payment options
- Specific payment methods (for example: credit card, bank transfer, cash or cheque) are not specified in the published fee schedule. Families should arrange payment through the school's enrollment process.

Additional notes on charges
- The published schedule states there has been no increase in school fees since Academic Year 2014–2015 and shows the figures above for Academic Year 2022–2023. The amounts listed are presented as annual tuition and associated charges; where the tuition is paid by instalment it is divided into 10 equal instalments.
Academics

Maharlika International School teaches Bespoke Curriculum.

Curriculum
MIS adapts the Philippines' K-12 curriculum and is the only Philippine School Overseas in East Timor, permitted to adapt its curriculum for Preschool through High School. Tetum language was added to Grade 1–8 and language offerings include English, Filipino, Tetum, and Portuguese. The curriculum is organized by program: Preparatory (Kindergarten 1–2); Primary (Grades 1–3); Intermediate (Grades 4–6); Junior High School (Grades 7–10); Senior High School (Grades 11–12). Senior High School offers a General Academic Strand (GAS) designed to prepare students for college, with GAS including Humanities, Social Sciences, Applied Economics, Organization and Management, and Disaster Preparedness and focusing on developing creative writing, organization, Empowerment Technologies, and communication skills. Preparatory is accredited by the host country's Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports, while Elementary, Junior and Senior High accreditation is described as ongoing.

Higher Education Progression
GAS is designed to prepare students for college, and graduates may pursue college degrees across strands; common progression areas include Humanities, Social Sciences, Applied Economics, and Organization and Management.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
MIS promotes holistic development through a balanced curriculum and a positive, friendly, safe, and motivating learning environment. MIS is committed to encouraging every student to achieve their full potential in both learning and social development. Students participate in goal setting and planning through the Student Council and the Parents and Teachers' Association to support academic and social success. Core values include empathy and respect, guiding interactions within the school community. MIS emphasizes social development and community involvement through outreach programs and activities outside the school campus. The mission and objectives foster social awareness, creativity, and collaboration as part of learners' development.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
In Preparatory, Language Arts includes English Language and Reading. Filipino, Tetum, and Portuguese are also included in Preparatory's Language Arts. In Primary (Grades 1-3), Language Arts includes English, Filipino, Tetum, and Portuguese. In Intermediate (Grades 4-6), Language Arts includes English, Filipino, Tetum, and Portuguese. In Junior High School (Grades 7-10), Language Arts includes English, Filipino (for Filipino students only), Tetum, and Portuguese. Senior High School offers General Academic Strand (GAS), a generalist pathway that includes Humanities, Social Sciences, Applied Economics, Organization and Management, and Disaster Preparedness.

Mental Wellbeing
MIS provides a positive, friendly, safe and motivating learning environment. The school's mission emphasizes developing confident and independent learners and supporting learners' social development. Core values such as empathy and respect guide interactions and well-being within the school community. The involvement of the Student Council and Parents and Teachers' Association fosters student well-being by engaging families in goal setting and planning for academic and social success.

Safeguarding
MIS provides a positive, safe and motivating learning environment. Health protocols are implemented and overseen by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports (MEYS) and the Ministry of Health (MoH). MEYS conducted pre-inspections at MIS, and ongoing health protocol checks have been observed to support safe reopening and ongoing safety measures.
Parent Experience

History
Maharlika International School (MIS) was established in 2008 by its Founder and Executive Director, Martin Banaken Papay Jr., as Dili Education & Development Center (DEDC). It aimed to provide affordable quality education in Timor-Leste for the dependents of Overseas Filipino Workers, Timorese youths, and other foreign nationals. It began in a small house in Fomento 1, Comoro, Dili, with six enrollees on September 8, 2008. The school received a license to operate on March 4, 2009, and was renamed MIS in 2010. MIS pursued accreditation as a Philippine School Overseas and, after DepEd recognition, was issued provisional permits for preschool through secondary levels; by August 22, 2018 it held DepEd School Identification No. 700018.

Community
MIS's Center for Social Responsibility runs an Annual Outreach Program featuring Gift Giving & Fun Games with orphans at Santa Bakhita Orphanage in Becora, Dili, Timor-Leste, on the second Sunday of February. Since SY 2015-2016, MIS has offered memorial scholarships: the Alipio & Flora Banaken Memorial Scholarship for Filipino students with financial constraints but strong academic performance, and the Fermin & Elena Papay Memorial Scholarship for Timorese students with similar needs. Grants include a 50% tuition discount for families with a combined monthly salary under $800, or 25% for salaries between $800 and $1,200, subject to meeting academic requirements.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
MIS has a Parent-Teacher Association; the first General PTA Meeting occurred on July 11, 2015, during which the school's governance representatives introduced the faculty to parents. MIS is described as a Philippine School Overseas (PSO) in Timor-Leste by the Department of Education of the Philippines, granting MIS the legal right to adapt and implement the K-12 curriculum. The PTA emphasizes ongoing dialogue and teamwork between parents and teachers to foster a positive learning environment and strengthen the school community. The school community notes that teamwork and harmonious relations are central to PTA activities. This information is drawn from MIS PTA posts, including the July 16, 2015 entry.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
MIS was established in 2008 in Dili, Timor-Leste, originally at Fomento 1, Comoro. It moved to Rua Fatuhada in Dili on April 30, 2010 to accommodate growing enrollment, with additional buildings constructed thereafter. MIS operates as a Philippine School Overseas (PSO) and adapts the Philippine basic education curriculum for Preschool through Senior High. The Preparatory program is accredited by East Timor's Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports, while accreditation for Elementary, Junior High, and Senior High is ongoing. It is licensed to adapt its curriculum by DepEd as a PSO in East Timor.

Academic Facilities
MIS adapts the K-12 curriculum of the Philippines, with the History of East Timor integrated in Civics & Culture and Social Studies & History. Tetum is taught from Grade 1 to Grade 8, and Portuguese is part of Language Arts across levels, alongside English and Filipino. The learning areas include Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Civics & Culture, MAPEH, Values Education, HELE, and Technology & Livelihood Education, with Computer integrated to HELE. Senior High School offers General Academic Strand (GAS); the Preparatory program is hosted in East Timor, and accreditation for Elementary, Junior, and Senior High is ongoing. MIS is the only Philippine School Overseas in East Timor under a DepEd PSO permit.

Extra Curricular Facilities
MIS conducts an Annual Outreach Program with Santa Bakhita Orphanage in Becora, Timor-Leste. Scholarship programs include the Alipio & Flora Banaken Memorial Scholarship for Filipino students and the Fermin & Elena Papay Memorial Scholarship for Timorese students. Grants provide 50% tuition discounts for deserving families earning below $800 per month and 25% discounts for others earning more than $800 but less than $1,200. Requirements include a minimum average grade of 85% and no grade below 80% in any learning area per grading period. Applicants must submit documents including a letter of intent, a scholarship application form, a current report card, and proof of income.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Arts & Creative
MAPEH (Music, Arts, Physical Education & Health) is a learning area across all levels. MAPEH includes music and arts as part of the curriculum. The Maharlikan Journalists provide student writing and journalism activities. A Sports & Culture Club is planned for Academic Year 2020-2021, soon to be available.

Cultural & Language
Tetum language was included as a learning area for Grade 1 to Grade 8 in Academic Year 2013-2014. English, Filipino, Tetum, and Portuguese are taught through Language Arts across the programs. Civics & Culture is a designated learning area.

Social & Hobbies
Student Council Officers exist for Academic Year 2020-2021, with roles such as President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Auditor, and Coordinators. The Maharlikan Journalists group provides student journalism activities with an Editor-in-Chief and editors. A Sports & Culture Club is planned for Academic Year 2020-2021; soon to be available.

Community & Service
Center for Social Responsibility includes an Annual Outreach Program: Gift Giving & Fun Games with the Orphans at Santa Bakhita Orphanage in Becora, Dili, Timor-Leste, on the second Sunday of February. Scholarship Programs include Alipio & Flora Banaken Memorial Scholarship and Fermin & Elena Papay Memorial Scholarship, with grants offering discounts on tuition. Grants include 50% or 25% discounts based on family income and requirements for qualification.

Leadership & Professional
Student Council Officers exist for Academic Year 2020-2021 with positions such as President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Auditor, and Coordinators. The Maharlikan Journalists team includes an Editor-in-Chief and News Editors, advised by a faculty member. The Founder and Executive Director is Martin Banaken Papay Jr., who leads the school; the Executive Director also participates in governance and leadership activities.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
MAPEH combines Music, Arts, Physical Education & Health as a learning area across programs, supporting physical activity and creative expression. Physical Education is part of MAPEH across Primary and Secondary levels. Values Education is also included as a learning area to support personal and social well-being.
Languages

Language Provision
Languages taught include English, Filipino, Tetum, and Portuguese. English is included in Language Arts across Preschool to Grade 10; Filipino, Tetum, and Portuguese are also taught as Language Arts subjects at multiple levels, with Tetum as a Learning Area from Grade 1 to Grade 8.

Bilingual Teaching
A multilingual program is used. Language Arts includes English, Filipino, Tetum, and Portuguese across Preschool through Junior High School (Kindergarten 1–Grade 10).
Admissions

Admissions
New students for all programs must have a passing entrance examination result equivalent to 75% of the total items in the test questionnaire. Preparatory Program requires the following documents: Birth certificate (Original and photocopy); Health Certificate; Passport-size colored picture (2 copies, white background); Certificate of attendance; Study Permit or residence permit for international students; MIS enrollment form; Payment of Administration Fee, Textbooks, 1st installment on tuition fee, and Graduation fee for Kindergarten 2. Elementary, Junior & Senior High School (Grades 1-12) require the following documents: Birth certificate (Original and photocopy); Passport-size colored picture (2 copies, white background); Certificate of attendance and Good Moral Character; Report Card (Original); Study Permit for international students; MIS enrollment form; Payment of Administration Fee, Laboratory Fee, Textbooks, 1st installment on tuition fee, and Graduation/moving-up fee for Grades 6, 10 & 12; Transfer credentials from previous school for transferee. Enrollment is completed upon submission of the above requirements and payment of the corresponding fees, including Administration Fee, Textbooks, Laboratory Fee, 1st installment on tuition fee, Graduation/moving-up fee for Grades 6, 10 & 12, and any applicable Research fee for Grade 12.

Scholarships
Scholarship Programs: Alipio & Flora Banaken Memorial Scholarship for Filipino students with financial constraints but display academic excellence. Fermin & Elena Papay Memorial Scholarship for Timorese students with financial constraints but display academic excellence. Grants: 50% discount in tuition for deserving students whose parents' combined monthly salary is less than $800; 25% discount in tuition for deserving students whose parents' combined monthly salary is more than $800 but less than $1,200. Requirements: Applicants must have an average grade of at least 85% and no grade lower than 80% in any learning area per grading period. Scholars who fail to maintain the minimum required academic grade will be automatically disqualified from the scholarship grant for the remaining term of the school year or the incoming school year. Scholars disqualified for the scholarship grant due to a grade lower than 80% or an average grade lower than 85% shall pay their regular tuition fee for the remaining term. Documents: 1) Letter of intent from parents to avail the program; 2) A completed scholarship application form; 3) Current Report Card; 4) Certified true copy of parents' pay slip and certificate of employment indicating monthly salary or Employment Contract.
School Events
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