The Regional Secretary for Education and Culture stated in Angra do Heroísmo that "all "Azorean schools will provide the option of supplying students and teachers with a vegetarian meal, through previous appointment, in the next school year.
 
Avelino Meneses spoke to journalists at the end of a hearing at the Committee on Social Affairs of the Legislative Assembly to analyse a petition requesting the inclusion of a vegetarian alternative dish at regional schools. In this regard, he pointed out that the prior appointment required for this meal intends to "avoid waste."
 
"Due to the experience and the expectations we have regarding this type of meal, the demand may not be high," Avelino Meneses said, adding that, since the school year 2015/2016, regional schools have been providing an ovo-lacto-vegetarian dish, which has registered a "low demand."
 
The Regional Secretary was also heard under an initiative of the Left Bloc party intended to promote gender equality in the awarding of prizes in sports competitions. In this regard, he stressed that the legislation "fights for gender equality" in sports.
 
With regard to training levels, Avelino Meneses also added that women's teams benefit from a 25% increase in the first two years of activity, and, when the request is made at the same time, they are awarded priority status in the use of facilities.