The Regional Secretary for Education and Training stated on Monday that the Azores have already been acknowledged at an educational level and revealed that “there are always those who are interested” in visiting the archipelago to become better acquainted with the regional education system.
With regard to education, “the Azores have already been recognised overseas,” stated Lina Mendes to the journalists, before welcoming at the main hall of the Regional Secretary for Education and Training in Angra do Heroísmo a group of 12 English teachers, who will begin a five-day visit to the island of Terceira.
For the Regional Secretary, this type of visit is a “way of projecting the Azores in Europe as well as in the world” and demonstrates the international recognition of the regional education system.
In addition to establishing contacts between Portuguese and English teachers, Lina Mendes stressed the possibility of exchanging experiences and educational practices that are beneficial to both parties.
Until April 16, the teachers from the county of Kent, England, will have the opportunity to visit all elementary and junior schools of Terceira and to understand the operation of the regional education system.
Specific issues such as the operation of day nurseries and free time occupation centres (ATL’s), the impact of school in a wider community and student involvement in environmental issues will be addressed during this visit, which is focused on the theme of citizenship.
The approach on the culture of the Azores and the communities inside and outside the school as well as the chosen methodologies to raise the students’ awareness for economic and political issues are other aspects to be addressed during this five-day visit to Terceira.
The programme also includes a visit to the most emblematic sites of Terceira such as the “Algar do Carvão,” which has already been classified as Regional Natural Monument.
This visit is organised under the Teacher´s International Development Programme, funded by the Department for Children, Schools and Families in the United Kingdom.
Since the launching of the programme in 2000, several English teachers have had the opportunity to visit schools spread across 50 countries.