The Regional Secretary for Education and Training refutes the criticism made by the Bloco de Esquerda (Left Bloc) concerning the closing of the Conceição and Salão Schools in Angra do Heroísmo and Horta, respectively.

Cláudia Cardoso recalled that the integration of students from the Conceição School into the Carreireinha Elementary School and Kindergarten provides them with better conditions that will enhance the promotion of educational success.
 
This decision is based on educational criteria and the meets the needs for integrating these students in a space of quality with the necessary conditions to receive them, which was visited by the parents of the students from the Conceição Elementary School and Kindergarten at the invitation of the Regional Secretary.

Contrary to statements made by the Bloco de Esquerda, it is important to pursue the strategy of grouping students whenever necessary to promote educational success, mentioned the Regional Secretary. 

In the case of the Conceição School, and contrary to what was stated by the Bloco de Esquerda, the government official reminds that parents were heard by the regional department overseeing the area of education although it was not possible to reach an understanding.

The Carreirinha School is located less than a kilometre away from the Conceição School in addition to providing better infrastructures and equipments.

It is also false that the Regional Secretariat intends to relocate its facilities to this school space.

In the case of the Salão School, the Regional Secretary reminds that in the last school year, there were 11 students in the preschool level and 16 in the elementary level: 6 were enrolled in the 1st form, 6 in the 2nd form, 2 in 3rd form and 2 in the 4th form (the estimated number of students was 12 for 2011/2012).

Cláudia Cardoso reiterated the need to close school with a reduced number of students due to the difficulties arising from the operation of these elementary schools where a sole teacher has to simultaneously teach four grades, a situation that brings serious implications to their teaching practice and, consequently, to the quality of student learning.

The Regional Secretary also reminded that the main goal of the restructuring of the school network is to provide the best conditions to ensure a quality education, especially in the Preschool and Elementary School levels, being the cornerstone of the Education System. 

For Cláudia Cardoso, the restructuring of regional school network was carried out taking into account the best interests of students and goal of boosting educational success in the Region.