The Regional Government is available to discuss with teachers' union the "main pillars" of the Teaching Career Statute, said the Regional Secretary for Education and Culture.

Speaking at the beginning of the meetings with the leaders of the two teachers' unions in the Azores, Avelino Meneses conveyed his hope that the negotiations now started may be concluded "in time for the new statute to come into effect next school year."

Following the first meeting, also held with unions in early September, it became clear the need to revise the Teaching Career Statute.

"Today's meeting can be considered as the kick-start to this process. Our aim is to discuss with the unions the model on which the statute will be revised and the scheduling of the works," stressed the Regional Secretariat for Education and Culture.