Secretariat for Education increases number of education assistants in schools - Communication

Secretaria Regional da Educação e dos Assuntos Culturais

The Regional Secretary for Education and Cultural Affairs, Sofia Ribeiro, presented to regional public schools the guidelines for the placement of education assistants in view of the needs for the launch of the next school year.

"Following the opening of 174 permanent posts for the education assistant category, we have decided, as an exceptional measure, to extend 232 occupational programmes in schools facing staff shortages, which is absolutely essential for the regular operation of schools," she said.

According to the Regional Secretary, the 174 vacancies included in the annual recruitment map for 2022 took into account "the specific needs of each school." Currnetly, schools "are now beginning the application procedures for the placement of 174 education assistants in the Region's permanent staff.

NHowever, and "considering the legally stipulated deadlines for public administration admission procedures," it was necessary "to resort to workers benefiting from social and professional integration measures on an exceptional basis, so as to ensure stability in the first term of the next school year."

As the government official explained, "priority was given to all education assistants already working in schools," with projects being extended "until the end of the first term."

 "There are 56 workers under occupational programmes whose project was scheduled to end by the end of this calendar year or even the following year. In addition to them, we add another 232 programme extensions on an exceptional basis," she stressed.

For the assessment of the number of workers, Sofia Ribeiro stated that it was also considered "the need to replace workers who are on long-term sick leave." As she pointed out, "this is a process that requires continuous follow-up in the light of the circumstances that may arise.

 According to the Regional Secretary, "we hereby comply with the Resolution of the Legislative Assembly of the Azores, unanimously adopted."

It should be noted that the resolution, presented by the Bloco de Esquerda party during the June plenary session, called on the Regional Government to hire the non-teaching staff necessary for the regular operation of schools. It also recommended the extension of non-teaching staff contracts on an exceptional basis for the minimum period necessary for the completion of admission procedures, including workers under social and professional integration programmes.