The President of the Government of the Azores, Vasco Cordeiro, restated today the "clear and objective" criteria followed by the Government regarding the integration of hired teachers in the teaching staff. He also defended that the fight against school failure is a challenge that must be overcome by the joint efforts of all Azoreans.

"This is a challenge that we have to overcome in terms of the Government's actions and as a Region," Vasco Cordeiro said, stressing that "there are no magic solutions." The achievement of success depends on shared responsibility, an effort that involves the Government, teachers, schools and families.

Speaking to journalists at the end of an audience with the Teachers' Democratic Union of the Azores (SDPA) stressed that the Government "aim to create conditions" to achieve the best solutions for this problem, through the implementation of the FENIX programme and the creation of a team of school mediators. However, the success "is not solely dependent on these measures"; it requires the involvement of all parties concerned.

The President of the Government regretted that the success achieved in this area is not given the prominence it deserves. These achievements are not just the result of the Government's actions, but also of the efforts undertaken by teachers and families.

As for the issue concerning the hiring of teachers, Vasco Cordeiro reminded that a total of 136 vacancies for the teaching staff were open in this year's applications: 34 in the first application and 102 in the second.

In accordance with the criteria followed by the Regional Government, Vasco Cordeiro mentioned that "there will be a vacancy open whenever necessary."

"This does not mean that the hiring of teachers will end as there are teachers who are attached to the teaching staff, but are currently performing other duties. We will not open a vacancy for these situations because when these teachers return to their schools, they will fill their positions. It does not make sense to duplicate them," said the government official.

For Vasco Cordeiro, this is a "clear, objective and reasonable criteria. We will open a vacancy whenever there is a permanent need in the system. In the case of a temporary replacement, there is the possibility of hiring teachers on fixed-term contract."

As for the number of vacancies, the President of the Government noted that this is not a stagnant issue; it is always dependent on the permanent needs of the regional education system.