Regional schools have loaned textbooks to nearly 11,000 elementary school students over the last years.

The information was provided today by the Regional Secretary for Education and Training at the Legislative Assembly during the discussion of a legislative proposal on textbook loan, proposed by CDS/PP.

According to Cláudia Cardoso, many Azorean schools have loaned, free of charge, Portuguese Language, Math and Environmental Studies textbooks to elementary school students over the last years.

Textbooks were loaned free of charge to 2688 1st form students, 2944 2nd form students, 2861 3rd form students and to 3180 4th form students.

The Secretary for Education and Training also emphasised that the loan of textbooks in the Azores has been carried out by schools under the terms of the Student's Statute.

Regarding the proposal presented by CDS/PP, the government official considered that this proposal, though not entirely new, brings to light "some nuances and issues" which differ from the current situation.

The legislation proposes the creation of a bibliographic collection at each school for loaning books, thus regulating a matter that is already embodied in the Student's Statute in the area of school welfare.

The free and progressive distribution of school books to elementary school students is another measure envisaged in the Regional Government's Guidelines for the Medium-term (2009/2012). With this initiative, the Government aims to promote social cohesion and significantly reduce parents’ expenses with their children.