Regional Government will continue school construction programme in 2018, says Avelino Meneses
The Regional Secretary for Education and Culture stated in Horta that the Government of the Azores will continue the programme for redevelopment and maintenance of school infrastructures in 2018, an investment over 44.5 million Euros.
Avelino Meneses spoke at the Legislative Assembly during the discussion of the proposals for next year's Plan and Budget. In addition to the works underway at Canto da Maia School on São Miguel and Calheta School on São Jorge, the government official added that the works to be carried out at Capelas, Arrifes and Lagoa Schools, also on the island of S. Miguel, are in different phases of administrative procedures.
The Regional Secretary added that funding was also provided for various interventions at Antero de Quental, Jerónimo Emiliano de Andrade, Vitorino Nemésio, Flores and Ribeira Grande Schools. There are also planned interventions for Santa Maria, Ginetes and Lagoa Schools.
In education, besides the works, the Government of the Azores strives "every day for solutions of commitment that will turn the school into a means of learning for all" and that is capable of adapting itself "to change" and to "the transformations of society," stressed Avelino Meneses.
In this process and facing the "impossibility of doing everything at once," the implementation of ProSucesso - Azores for Education, an integrated plan to promote school success, has evidenced indicators that "convey hope," stated Avelino Meneses.
"In the Azores, despite the difficulties and shortcomings, the revelation of some good educational indicators is certainly due to the differentiation we have always introduced into the regional education system", stressed the government official.
As for culture, with an estimated investment of 13.4 million Euros, Avelino Meneses mentioned that the governmental strategy involves the effort to "stimulate cultural institutions by fostering the creativity of cultural agents" who will implement this strategy on the ground.
Furthermore, the Regional Secretary mentioned other investments for next year, namely the creation of a network of regional libraries and archives with the aim of providing a better knowledge of the islands and the network of museums and visiting collections of the Azores, whose goal is to provide all islands with "a quality museum unit." He also mentioned the beginning of the works of Francisco de Lacerda Museum on S. Jorge as well as the opening of the Vila do Porto Museum Centre of Santa Maria Museum and the Time Museum; the latter is a project developed by Corvo Eco Museum.
Regarding sport, with a total investment of 10.7 million Euros, fully supported by the regional budget, the government official mentioned the goal to turn sport into an activity "for everyone," which also involves the development of the programme to support adapted sports, said Avelino Meneses.
In his speech, the government official emphasised that sport, instead of being "the privilege of some," is "essentially a right of everyone, starting at the earliest ages. He stressed that the Azores have about 600 School Sport centres, which complement the physical-motor development ensured by the educational system.
Despite a negative priority in the access to community funds, the Government of the Azores "will never" neglect the improvement of sports facilities, Avelino Meneses assured, pointing out as examples the conclusion of the Judo Training Centre on São Jorge and the 2nd phase of the redevelopment works of Santo Espírito Sports Pavilion on Santa Maria.