The Regional Secretary for Education, Science and Culture revealed today in Horta that the investments for 2014 in the area of education "will focus on the improvement of school results and the combat to early dropout from school."

Speaking at the Legislative Assembly under the debate of the proposed Regional Plan and Budget for next year, Luiz Fagundes Duarte said this guideline "embodies the fundamental principle of an inclusive school that is able to find the solutions that are best fitted for each student as well as to provide the best educational offer for the improvement of students' skills and their personal development."

In order to achieve this goal, it was decided, following the efforts undertaken, to increase class time for the subjects of Mathematics and Portuguese Language, extend the "Fénix" Projects and the create a team of teachers to provide education support at elementary schools. Additionally, the Regional Secretary mentioned that these investments are also intended to increase the number of vocational training courses, hire special education teacher to meet the needs of regional schools in this area, reinforce the role of school administration and management bodies and provide support to families in the area of school welfare.

Besides this goal, Luiz Fagundes Duarte assured that the Government will continue investing in the school network. In this context, the renewal works at Domingos Rebelo Basic Education and Secondary School, Horta Basic Education and Secondary School and Velas Secondary School are expected to be concluded by next year. The construction works of Lajes do Pico Basic and Secondary School and Ribeira Grande Basic Education School will also start next year.  Moreover, the renewal project designed for Canto da Maia Basic Education School is estimated to be completed by 2014 as well as the amendments to the projects for Arrifes Basic Education School on São Miguel Island.

In the field of science, Luiz Fagundes Duarte said the Government will "continue investing in smart growth, taking into consideration that scientific research and innovation are key factors in competitiveness, economic growth and employment."

In this regard, the Region can rely on Pro-Scientia, a financial incentive scheme implemented by the Government to support scientific research activities, technological development and innovation.

The Regional Secretary also added that the Scientific Strategy for the Autonomous Region of the Azores has been jointly developed with the scientific community and will be put under public discussion soon. This measure is "in line with the Europe 2020 Strategy, based on a multi-fund financial perspective." In this context, a specific team should be created with the aim of raising funds from the European programme "Horizon 2020" to the Region.

As for the area of culture, the Government will award priority status to the implementation of the new legislation on different types of asset and the amendment to the legal scheme on the support to cultural activities.
According Luiz Fagundes Duarte, these legislative amendments will be subject to public consultation "very soon" and are intended to "adapt concepts, increase efficiency and boost the support for cultural heritage, particularly in combating pests and preventing the effects of natural disasters. With regard to cultural activities, the legislative measures also aim to reward merit achieved in cultural areas, foster the creation and intensification of production networks at a regional level as well as to establish innovative partnerships."

The opening of several "major infrastructures" is scheduled for late 2014, such as Arquipélago – Contemporary Arts Centre, Santo André Convent - Carlos Machado Museum, the Old Boa Nova Hospital and the Angra do Heroísmo Regional Library and Public Archive. These infrastructures will "reinforce" the Regional Networks of Museums, Public Libraries and Regional Archives "which will operate under the general coordination of the central services of the Regional Directorate for Culture. In addition, the Government will create the necessary conditions to "streamline the access to knowledge and culture through the use of new technologies."

In the area of sport, according to Luiz Fagundes Duarte, the Government will "ensure the availability of an increasing number of support projects so that Azorean sport may continue following the path towards the promotion of sport and the improvement of the results" already achieved.
In this context, "the investment in sports excellence will be reinforced in order to ensure financial support to High Performance athletes and special individual preparation plans," thus providing "Azorean athletes with the possibility of participating in qualifying competitions for representation at the Olympic Games."

Also in the area of sport, the Government will encourage the practice of adapted sport with the aim of promoting the inclusion of disabled athletes, enhance training, acknowledge the merit achieved in this area and recognise the dignity and value of athletes and of all those who practice sport.
Luiz Fagundes Duarte revealed that a new project will be developed for the area of youth under the title "Inspira-te, Aprende e Age" (Inspire yourself, Learn and Take Action). This initiative aims to "strengthen the skills of Azorean youngsters," especially of those who "are in a vulnerable situation by providing them with training activities in several areas."

In the area of youth, the strategy defined for the next year will be "in line with European strategies," whose main goal is to "enhance the human capital of youngsters" by fostering their "sense of citizenship and solidarity" and promoting the "internationalisation of their experiences."

All these policies will be "implemented, whenever possible and appropriate, in coordination with other entities and across all areas not only to gain synergies, but also to improvement the management of human, technical and financial resources available. As these policies are mainly targeted at youngsters, the goals we intend to accomplish - training, pursuit of excellence, scientific research, discovery and enhancement of artistic and sports skills, social inclusion, promotion of team work and development of individual potentialities - can never been regarded separately, said Luiz Fagundes Duarte.