Today, the Regional Secretary for Education and Training argued for the integration, “whenever it is possible or necessary,” of kindergarten education with the first stage of formal schooling in the head school.

Maria Lina Mendes put this proposal forth at the inauguration ceremony of the Cardeal Costa Nunes School, a new building intended for students entering the first educational cycle, in the Village of Madalena.

She explained that twelve years ago this very school pioneered this practice, and that this enabled it to provide its students with better pedagogical conditions.

According to Mendes, integration also “promotes greater interaction in the educational community, facilitates the transition between schooling cycles and deepens the continuity of the teaching process from pre-school instruction onwards.

She mentioned that the building inaugurated today, made up of eight classrooms and a multi-purpose venue, is a part of a two-phase enlargement project.

Mendes further stated that, taken as a whole, 5 million Euros were invested in this project. Due to an ARAAL contract, it benefited from the collaboration of the Municipality of Madalena.  Overall,  “54% of the total amount was provided by the Regional Government and 46% by EU funds.”

She also mentioned that a new building is being planned for the school, meant for pre-school education.

Mendes extolled the endeavours of the faculty of Cardeal Costa Nunes School. In her view they have demonstrated “good sense in defining and implementing a strategic vision that is conducive to the materialisation of the intended project.”

“Here, as in the other schools of this island, nothing happens per chance, everything results from the actions of a determined leadership that seeks to overcome difficulties and obtain better results,” she said.

Mendes said that “the school is a living entity that needs to be cared for and continuously perfected so as to engender synergies within the educational community.”

The building that was inaugurated today can accommodate 160 students. Its construction costs were in the order of two million Euros.