Regional Government increases incentives for teachers on remote islands and under-resourced schools - Communication

Secretaria Regional da Educação, Cultura e Desporto

The Regional Government has increased the allowances paid to teachers for accommodation and travel, with the changes taking effect from the start of the next school year.

According to the Regional Secretary for Education, Culture and Sport, Sofia Ribeiro, the aim is “to encourage the retention of suitably qualified teaching staff on the most deprived islands and schools within the regional education system.”

The decree published today stipulates a monthly accommodation allowance of €500 per school year, totalling €6,000 for each teacher wishing to benefit from this support measure.

Moreover, the Regional Government will pay for an annual round-trip flight on domestic routes, up to the maximum amount set for the “Azores Fare” or the social mobility aid.

Sofia Ribeiro explained that, for teachers to benefit from this support, they must “complete a minimum of three years’ teaching service at the school where they have been placed.”

Teachers must also submit a lease agreement or a certificate attesting to the purchase of their own home on the island where the vacancy is located.

The vacancies eligible for stability incentives are staffing needs based on the number of teachers hired over the last three school years. Given the lack of applicants in the centralised recruitment process, it was necessary to launch a procedure in the Azores Public Employment Exchange (BEPA).