The Regional Secretary for Education and Training stressed this morning that municipalities are "precious allies in improving the quality of kindergarten and elementary school buildings," being partners in the "extended operation to restructure the school network of the regional educational system the Government of the Azores has been promoting."

Cláudia Cardoso spoke during the awarding of the contract works for the expansion of Francisco Medeiros Garoupa Kindergarten and Elementary School in Água d'Alto and added that the ARAAL contract now signed with the Vila Franca do Campo Town Hall "will significantly improve the infrastructures of this school," whose renewal works will "certainly contribute to the improvement of the school network of Vila Franca do Campo municipality.

In addition to the recent opening of Ponta Garça Basic Education School and the expansion works of Vila Franca do Campo Basic Education School, the school network will be better prepared to respond to the challenges brought by the education of children and youngsters to regional and local institutions. "

The new school, which represents an investment over € 1,100,000 will be financially supported by the Regional Government, thus "ensuring the successful partnership that should exist between two levels of power: local and regional."

For the government official," we are providing local students with better conditions that those we had. We provided them with the best conditions; we recalled again our school path and the conditions we should ensure so that the 118 children attending this school may follow the path of education success."

A path, she said, where "the government has a responsibility to take" but "it does not have the sole responsibility." In this context, "parents, tutors, teachers, school boards and the remaining staff" also play an important role in creating "the conditions to ensure educational success. And in this process any relinquishment of responsibility should be held accountable."

The Regional Secretary mentioned the "serious investment" the Government of the Azores has carried out "by improving the physical and educational conditions of our schools, building new schools, supporting a meritorious student welfare system that is unique in the country, renewing buildings and providing a diversified training offer whether at regular schools or at vocational training schools.

But we must do our part," Cláudia Cardoso recalled, adding that "everyone must encourage our students to make them understand the advantages of having an education. This is their most important asset we can give them. And the only ne that is neither subject to the passage of time nor the elements. "

The Secretary for Education also praised the Vila Franca do Campo Town Hall for "their vision towards the future and the attention given to education."
 
On the part of the Government, "we are determined to maintain our investment in people and we will remain committed here as in all schools that we have renewed, expanded and adapted to ensure that education be the effective way to change people's lives" .