The Government of the Azores is going to build a new integrated preparatory school (EBI) in one more rural parish of the island of S. Miguel - Água de Pau, in the council of Lagoa -, in the frame of a strategy of improvement of the quality of teaching through the approximation of the school to the pupils’ residence areas.

To be built after the introduction of the EBI's of Ginetes, Maia and Ponta Garça, which first stone was settled on Tuesday by the president of the Government, Carlos César, the new integrated preparatory school of S. Miguel will cost nearly 13,5 million euros.

The opening of competition to its construction was authorized by the Council of Government, being the execution of the undertaking expected for the space of two years.

Data quoted by Carlos César indicate that the Government invested nearly 190 million euros in school works in the several islands of the Region, between 2000 and 2007.

The entry in functioning of preparatory and integrated schools (with services from the pre-school to the ninth grade) in rural parishes has been allowing, also, obviating the problems associated to the concentration of students in the teaching establishments of the urbane centres.