The Regional Secretary for Education and Culture stated today that the Regional Government is committed to guaranteeing the "quantity" and "quality" of human resources in the areas of special education and educational support.
 
"The belief that special education and educational support lack human resources in terms of quantity and recognised quality has led the Government of the Azores to increase teaching and non-teaching staff to ensure the proper functioning of school establishments," said Avelino Meneses.
 
The Secretary for Education spoke after the signing of an addendum to the protocol between PT Foundation, the Regional Secretariat for Education and Culture and Group of Friends of the Paediatrics Department of Divino Espírito Santo Hospital for the expansion of the "tele-class" software solution. The government official highlighted the Government's efforts to ensure that all children and young people attending regional public schools, regardless of their origin, background and characteristics, can learn together and with quality.
 
According to Avelino Meneses, the Regional Government "focus on the adequacy of the educational process to the requirements of those who have disabilities or special educational needs" by "adapting curricula, rearranging school organisation and reinventing educational strategies."
 
Launched in the Azores last March, this "tele-class” project allows the interaction of students, who are at home or hospitalised, with the classes at the school where they are enrolled.
 
"It is no longer a question of bringing disabled students to schools, it is rather about taking the school to those who cannot come to school, whether they are in the hospital or at home," said Avelino Meneses.
 
The Regional Secretary thanked the PT Foundation and the Group of Friends of the Paediatrics Department of Divino Espírito Santo Hospital for the fact that, through this project, they have helped "achieving the goal of leaving no one behind," particularly those who "most need health and education."
 
The "tele-class" project is aimed at the social and academic reintegration of school-age young people who, because of their health conditions, are unable to attend school.
 
With the installation of a specific equipment in the classroom, students may participate in classes, from the hospital unit where they are hospitalised or from their residence, through a computer with an Internet connection.
 
Currently, five students enrolled in Rabo de Peixe and Capelas Basic Education Schools and in Povoação and Vila Franca do Campo Secondary Schools (São Miguel Islands) are already benefiting from this programme in the Azores.