The Regional Secretary for Education and Culture conveyed today his belief that the ongoing negotiations with teachers' unions on the revision of the teaching career statute in the Azores will be concluded by next February.

Speaking to journalists during the meetings he held today with the leaders of teachers' unions in the Azores, Avelino Meneses specified that the Government of the Azores presented "a comprehensive proposal" in order "to promote a broader discussion whose topics will be further specified in future meetings."

"So far, the discussion has taken place without constraints and we have reached an understanding, which I consider to be positive; however, we will be able to see its impact on the future meetings that are already scheduled," said the government official.

These negotiations "focus on the entire Teaching Career Statute," with special emphasis on the topics concerning evaluation, training, teaching career statue and the salary index levels; their primary purpose is to "reach a consensus as wide as possible," said the Regional Secretary for Education.

In mid-October, Avelino Meneses had already revealed his desire to carry out a "peaceful reform" with regard to the revision of the teaching career statute and the basic education curriculum in a process to be implemented through the "promotion of dialogue."