The Regional Secretary for Education and Training assured this afternoon that the plan and budget of the Azorean Government for 2012 ensures the maintenance of the "levels of previous years and, in a general context, of what is necessary for the maintenance of our educational and sports infrastructures."

Cláudia Cardoso, who was heard by the Standing Committee on Social Affairs of the Azorean Parliament on the Regional Annual Plan and Budget of the Autonomous Region of the Azores for 2012, stressed that the global amount to be allocated under the plan ensures "the purpose of school works we need to continue throughout the Region."

Moreover, she guaranteed the continuity of the investments already ongoing, such as the cases of Angra do Heroísmo and Água de Pau Basic Education Schools and even new investments such as the construction of the new Gaspar Frutuoso School in Ribeira Grande, the renewal works of Horta Basic Education School, the redevelopment of Rui Galvão de Carvalho School in Rabo de Peixe and the construction of the south block of Domingo Rebelo Secondary School.

Such investments, said the Regional Secretary for Education and Training, "ensure the continuity of our commitment to significantly improve and invest in the education we provide to our students" and, secondly, "maintain the investment in the area of sport, that is, we will continue to support associations and clubs by carrying out the necessary investments."

The plan and budget for 2012 envisages "a significant effort in the area of sport, support training and also physical activity for adults," said Cláudia Cardoso.

The Regional Secretary therefore concluded that "the plan is balanced, reasonable and pursues purposes that are very important for us, mainly the improvement of students’ learning and the promotion of sports among children and youngsters through School Sport and Sports Schools programmes."