The Regional Secretary for Education and Culture stated in Angra do Heroísmo that 27th edition of the School Sports Games is the result of the consortium between the Regional School Sports project and the programme for the promotion of school success, ProSucesso - Azores for Education.
 
With the 2016 edition of school games, which takes place on six islands of the archipelago over the next two months, we intend "to promote and democratise the practice of sports," Avelino Meneses said, adding that this initiative aims to achieve "the development of educational action and a multidisciplinary perspective."
 
For the Regional Secretary, these goals will be achieved "if we are able to instil in the minds of participants the pleasure of playing as well as the pleasure of learning from a perspective that, through the organisation of games, "we can assure the integral formation of individuals, as demonstrated by the prizes in competition."
 
These Games also promote "physical and mental health, social inclusion and competitiveness with values," which is expected to "help preparing students for the challenges of a life that will be lived in a global society."
 
Avelino Meneses stressed also the relevance of the logo of this year's edition of the School Sports Games. It was created by three students from Ponta Garça Basic Education School and had the motto "School is Mine!” In fact, "if we want to achieve good school results, it is important to establish a clear identification of all students and their schools as well as between each student and his/her school," emphasised the government official.
 
According to the Regional Secretary for Education and Culture, the School Sports Games also "counter school failure, absenteeism and bullying," being, therefore, "a precious tool to promote school success and the integration that will provide a significant contribution to development of the Azores."
 
The 27th edition of the School Sports Games, whose start-up took place Tuesday and runs until mid-May, involves 21 schools from all islands of the Azores. Each phase will involve about 750 students.