Sofia Ribeiro praises "daily work" with school boards in "identifying and solving problems" - Communication

Secretaria Regional da Educação, Cultura e Desporto

The Regional Secretary for Education, Culture and Sport, Sofia Ribeiro, acknowledged today that there are "circumstantial and structural" challenges in the education sector. Nonetheless, she praised the "daily work" carried out with school boards in "identifying and solving problems" in the Region.

"Every day, we work closely with school boards, from Santa Maria to Corvo, to identify and solve problems," stated the government official, who spoke in Horta during a debate at the Legislative Assembly of the Autonomous Region of the Azores.

Among the "ongoing challenges" and “constraints” in the sector is the shortage of teachers. This is a "structural" issue affecting the Azores, Portugal and the Western world,” acknowledged Sofia Ribeiro.

"We have presented a new draft for teaching application procedures to improve career conditions," stated the Regional Secretary.

Regarding infrastructures, also a "complex issue," they were "severely degraded" when the coalition government took office. However, "fundamental interventions" were carried out over five years in several schools, namely Santa Maria, Rabo de Peixe (Ribeira Grande), Arrifes (Ponta Delgada) and Manuel de Arriaga School in Horta.

In terms of equipment, there has been an increase from around 4,000 items in "reasonable condition" to more than 35,000. This represents an increase in technical, financial and human resources, even in a "situation of demographic decline" and with fewer students in schools.

“As for operational assistants, the ratio in 2019/2020 stood at one for every 26 students. Today, we have improved significantly, and the ratio now stands at one for every 19 students,” stated the government official.