The Secretary for the Presidency, André Bradford assured today that the Government of the Azores “has done everything within its reach” to improve the levels of school success in the Archipelago, but defended that this should be a collective effort. 
 
At the presentation of the new project of the Açoreana de Seguros (Azorean insurance company), titled “United at School” (Unidos na Escola), André Bradford, on behalf of the President of the Government, said that in addition to hiring more highly qualified human resources, the Government has promoted the renewal of the school network and of the respective equipment. 
 
Regarding the support, addressed at the acquisition of books, transportation and food, the Secretary revealed that the Government has supported 7,600 elementary school students (public network public) last year, from a total of 14,000 children. 
 
According to André Bradford, Lagoa, Rabo de Peixe and Maia, on São Miguel, were the localities with the highest number of beneficiaries in the Archipelago. 
 
Believing that this is an inclusive school which promotes equality and requires a continuous collective effort, the Secretary for the Presidency considered that the private companies and the society are “indispensable partners.” 
 
“ Today at the Lagoa Basic Education School, we are launching another seed of hope and contributing to the improvement of the forthcoming generations,” said André Bradford, adding that the government joins with satisfaction to the newest mission of the Açoreana de Seguros. 
 
The project of the Azorean insurance company “United at School” will support five elementary schools on the islands of São Miguel (Rabo de Peixe, Lagoa and Água de Pau) and Terceira (Terra Chã and Biscoitos), thus multiplying the support of the school social service.
 
For every new policy sold, the Açoreana takes out five Euros, doubling the value the collected amount at the end of the campaign, which will revert to five schools. 
 
The first phase of the project will take place until December 31 and the money will awarded to schools in January.
  
“It is perfectly possible and desirable that companies associate to their primary mission - the business activity - a contribution to improvements the societies in which they are integrated,” stated André Bradford to the President of the Executive Committee of the insurance company, Diogo da Silveira, and to a wide audience, composed by company employees and teachers.